Fer Lopez pounces on Nat Phillips error as Wolves edge West Brom 1-0 in first Molineux derby for 14 years

Fer Lopez's second-half strike gave Wolverhampton Wanderers a 1-0 victory over rivals West Bromwich Albion in a fiercely contested Black Country derby at Molineux on Sunday — the first league meeting between the West Midlands foes at the ground in 14 years.

The decisive moment

The game's only goal arrived five minutes after the break, and it was gift-wrapped. Playing out from the back, Albion goalkeeper Max O'Leary rolled the ball out and the defence appeared in control until Nathaniel Phillips played a pass straight into Lopez's path. The Spanish forward needed no second invitation, clipping a shot over O'Leary and into the far corner from eight yards for his fifth goal of the season.

"He owned up to his mistake, but he's been immense over the last couple of weeks," Albion boss James Morrison said of Phillips. "Mistakes happen, now I want to see a reaction. You can't gift goals like that."

O'Leary keeps Albion alive

West Brom were largely indebted to O'Leary, who made five saves in total, including a trio of outstanding first-half stops. The pick came in the 11th minute, when he tipped a header from Wolves defender Nasser Djiga onto the underside of the crossbar, with Andre denied on the follow-up. He later blocked an angled drive from Mateus Mane at his near post and showed superb reflexes to divert Marshall Munetsi's goalbound close-range header away with an outstretched hand.

Wolves, prompted by the sharp Mane and Kieran Trippier — returning at right-back after a knee injury — outshot their rivals 15 to seven, hit the target six times and dominated the expected goals battle 1.96 to 0.27, while Jose Sa was tested only twice at the other end. Mane also created a chance for Adam Armstrong after 58 minutes, but the striker's shot was blocked.

There was a late scare for Wolves when captain Toti Gomes collided with goalkeeper Jose Sa as both tried to cut out a cross in stoppage time, but the defender stayed on as Albion's push for an equaliser came to nothing.

Peixoto salutes the supporters

The win lifted Wolves above their rivals into fourth in the Championship, just three points behind leaders Swansea City with a game in hand — a statement result heading into the international break.

Head coach Cesar Peixoto, in his first season at the club, led the celebrations at the final whistle in front of a 30,000 crowd. "We knew how important this game was to our supporters and for ourselves," he said. "The players deserved this win, they showed big soul, big organisation and big quality. We created a lot of chances and could have scored more goals."

Speaking to BBC Radio WM, he added: "We won it for the supporters, the environment in the stadium was amazing. We played with courage and character and pressed high — and we fought right to the end to make sure we got what we deserved. It's an important three points. But it is only three points. Most importantly, these players showed they deserve the respect and support that the fans can give them."

Morrison rues lack of bravery

Morrison was gracious in defeat but frustrated by his side's timidity. "We got what we deserved, really. We weren't at our best and we created a lot of anxiety in ourselves," he said. "We went backwards and did that too many times, maybe we were too anxious. In the first half we didn't threaten their goal, and in the second half we didn't create enough. We just weren't brave enough to take the ball under pressure. We didn't have the quality at the top end of the pitch and that's something we're going to have to address."