Wolves 1 West Brom 0: Fer Lopez the Black Country derby goal hero

Fer Lopez converted a second-half winner from a horror Nat Phillips error to earn Wolves the Black Country derby bragging rights over Albion.

The Spaniard clipped in a cool finish over Albion’s star man, goalkeeper Max O’Leary, to decide the anticipated clash at a raucous Molineux where the hosts were richly-deserved winners.

Baggies centre-back Phillips gifted Lopez the ball five minutes into the second period. O’Leary had earlier made two wonder saves to keep the score level.

James Morrison’s visitors were poor throughout and failed to get going at all in a first clash at Wolves in front of fans since 2012. Jose Sa was limited to a couple of routine stops.

The hosts settled much the better, with neat one-touch play too sharp for their visitors.

Marshall Munetsi worked space in the box for an early strike well blocked by Callum Styles as the hosts set the tone in a raucous atmosphere.

O’Leary’s first test drew a wonder save.

Kieran Trippier’s corner from the right was met by defender Nasser Djiga and his header looked top corner-bound until O’Leary somehow pawed it on to the crossbar.

The Irishman got up, with help of defenders, to ensure the rebound diverted wide.

Albion tried to settle but struggled to find more than a handful of passes as Wolves pressure continued. Their only first-half threat was a tame Isaac Price free-kick.

O’Leary saved a powerful angled Mateus Mane drive before another top-class stop on half hour.

The Irishman somehow clawed a right-handed save from Munetsi’s header creeping in at the near post.

Big openings kept coming for Wolves as Spaniard Lopez spooned wide in from of the South Bank with left foot in space in the box.

The Baggies could not settle and a couple of lengthy stoppages meant extended added time, in which Andre fired over from range.

O’Leary had kept his side in it but Albion were undone by a horror error five minutes after the interval.

The visitors knocked it about their backline but were undone. George Campbell fed Phillips before a backpass for O’Leary was misplaced and in stepped Lopez.

The former Celta Viga man kept his cool for an easy clipped finish as Molineux erupted.

Morrison’s side responded with their best period, though Price’s curled free-kick from wide, tipped away by Jose Sa, was the closest they got.

Wolves appeared content to allow Albion more of the ball after going ahead. The visitors were largely wasteful with a handful of set-pieces as they failed to work an opening in the penalty area.

Gomes was played in on goal with 15 minutes to go by Hugo Bueno with a chance to win it, but O’Leary made another fine low save.

Morgan snatched a tame strike well wide on 89 minutes that rather summed up his side’s display on a day that belonged to Wolves.

Albion (4-4-2): O’Leary; Styles, Phillips, Campbell (c), Townsend; Whitwell (Nzingoula, 61), Molumby (Collyer, 84), Diakite, Price (Tunde, 84); Heggebo (Stewart, 61), Morgan.

Subs not used: Ingram (gk), Mepham, Pereira, Horn Myhre, Bany.

Wolves (4-2-3-1): Sa; Trippier, Djiga, Toti (c), Bueno; Andre, Munetsi (James, 78); Gomes (Neave, 88), Lopez (Doyle, 72), Mane (Bellegarde, 72); Armstrong (Boubacar Traore, 88).

Subs not used: Virginia (gk), Bertrand Traore, Konan, Tchatchoua

Attendance: 30,892 (2,549 Albion fans)

Referee: Josh Smith