Level pegging: Peter Odemwingie pounces on defensive uncertain from Scott Dann to get the Baggies back into the gamePeter Odemwingie stole the show as West Bromwich ended their recent dismal run in Midlands derbies in some style.
The Nigerian international turned this match on its head by inspiring a stirring second-half fightback which had the Hawthorns rocking, while Alex McLeish bemoaned some uncharacteristic mistakes of his previously unbeaten Birmingham team .
McLeish also admitted he substituted Lee Bowyer midway to prevent the feisty midfielder being sent off on a day when Birmingham's deficiencies were exposed.
Yet new horizons beckon for Albion as they climbed above their local rivals in the table and - after only one victory in 16 Premier League Midlands derbies - finally gave their fans something to boast about in the clubs, pubs and factories around England's second city.
'We're en route to doing what we're trying to do against the best teams,' said manager Roberto Di Matteo. 'We've got seven points from five matches and no-one can take that away from us.'
Di Matteo's tactical masterstroke in bringing Graham Dorrans off the bench at half-time to run the game proved to be the difference as Birmingham, so comfortable up to the interval and ahead through Cameron Jerome's close-range volley, were swamped in the second half.
A Dorrans-inspired move led to Odemwingie's presence forcing Scott Dann to turn a Jerome Thomas centre into his own net.
Stranded: West Brom keeper Scott Carson (left) can do nothing to prevent Cameron Jerome giving Birmingham the leadIf the £4 million signing from Lokomotiv Moscow was denied the equaliser, there was no argument about the second goal as he accepted Bowyer's clumsy touch to sprint past goalkeeper Ben Foster and score from a narrow angle.
A third goal in the space of 18 minutes ended the contest as Jonas Olsson powered in a header from Chris Brunt's in-swinging corner.
But Mcleish was not happy with referee Chris Foy's decision to allow the goal. 'Olsson climbed all over Liam Ridgewell,' complained McLeish. 'And referees are not consistent.'
Flashpoint: Birmingham City's Lee Bowyer (centre) has words with referee Chris FoyThe Scottish manager admitted it was a bitter-sweet day for him following the announcement that he signed a new three-year contract with the St Andrew's club. 'I'm stung by the mistakes we made,' he said.
'We lost through human error. West Brom changed their shape to match up with us because we dominated the first half. It was very unlike us to capitulate through our mistakes. The lads will be watching some video replays this week!'
A pre-match injury to James McFadden forced McLeish to change his side and he urged his team to win for the sake of the �6m ex-Everton forward, who has damaged a cruciate ligament and looks like being out for most of the season. When Dann headed Sebastian Larsson's free-kick across the six-yard box to give Jerome a tap-in they seemed on course for victory. But the second half turned to misery, exemplified by McLeish's decision to remove Bowyer before he was sent off.
The midfielder's error set up Albion's second goal, he was hurt in a challenge on Gonzalo Jara, and was then being booked for a studs-up foul on Gabriel Tamas, an offence that could have resulted a red card. He was substituted and was even involved in a verbal spat with Albion fans as he went off.
'Bow had been booked and I took him off just in case,' said McLeish. 'He's matured but I didn't want to take any chances. Some people were having a go at him as he was going off and he told them to calm down. It's difficult when you've just come off the pitch.'
Bowyer will have better days but for Albion and their fans, this was one to savour.
source: dailymail
