Baggies seal Wembley berth but Mowbray refuses to celebrate

STRIKER Kevin Phillips scored West Brom’s 100th goal of the season to earn the hosts a 1-0 victory over Wolves at The Hawthorns and propel Albioninto the Championship play-off final.

The Baggies ensured their Wembley showdown with Derby on Monday, May 28, after beating their Black Country neighbours 4-2 on aggregate — following Sunday’s 3-2 first-leg victory at Molineux.

Phillips second-half strike was his 22nd goal of the season and Albion’s 100th during 2006-07.

However, victorious West Brom manager Tony Mowbray refused to celebrate his side’s triumph, instead choosing to focus on the size of the task ahead at Wembley.

He said: “The task when I came was to try to get in the Premiership and we still have a huge hurdle to overcome.

“We have to try and get the job done against a good Derby County side.

“It’s the best day of your life if you can win at Wembley. That’s the opportunity we have got and we have to prepare and we will be ready.”

Meanwhile, Wolves boss Mick McCarthy spoke of his pride after guiding his young side to the play-offs against the odds.

He said: “It’s disappointing obviously, but we’ve not really performed as well as we could have tonight.

“They were better than us tonight and deserved to win the game. They are a good side, they have got good players and we knew that.”

McCarthy was in charge of Sunderland when they were beaten on penalties by Crystal Palace in the same stage of the play-offs three years ago tomorrow.

He added: “I’ve nothing but pride for what the players have achieved and I’ve just told them that.

“They have done wonders for me, themselves and the club.”

Wolves were struggling throughout to pose the sort of threat that would get them the goal they required.

And Albion got the lead they deserved after 64 minutes, with Phillips again the Wolves tormentor.

He stole in on Koren’s left-wing cross at the far post to head home and send the Hawthorns wild.

WEST BROM: Kiely, McShane, Perry, Sodje, Robinson, Koren, Greening, Gera, Koumas, Kamara (MacDonald 83), Phillips (Ellington 79).

WOLVES: Hennessey, Neill Collins, Breen, Craddock, McNamara (Mulgrew 76), Kightly (Ward 84), Olofinjana, Potter, McIndoe (Gleeson 59), Bothroyd, Keogh.

Referee: M Halsey (Lancashire).