Goals move West Brom up from last

West Brom 2 Birmingham 0

West Brom gave themselves a relegation lifeline as goals from Neil Clement and Kevin Campbell moved them off the bottom for the first time since the end of November.

Baggies manager Bryan Robson had described the derby as a must-win encounter and his side began the day eight points adrift of safety.

But they responded in a positive manner to the challenge in deservedly registering what was only their third league win of the campaign.

Albion had a greater desire and hunger for the battle and no-one personified this more than former Blues striker Geoff Horsfield who was a constant threat with his physical presence.

Zoltan Gera and Jonathan Greening impressed on the flanks as the Baggies avenged the 4-0 mauling at St Andrews in December.

It was Blues first derby defeat in 11 matches with Aston Villa, Wolves and Albion since returning to the top flight and they can have few complaints.

But on this evidence Birmingham have to be careful not to be dragged back into the relegation fight themselves and midfielder Stephen Clemence was one of the few players to emerge with much credit.

Birmingham threatened briefly when a Salif Diao header from a Clemence forced the first corner of the match.

But the home side were the more impressive in the early stages and Gera was just off target with a dipping effort from the edge of the Birmingham area.

Another shot by the Hungary captain was blocked by Kenny Cunningham after a neat turn and cross by Jonathan Greening.

Then a powerful header from Neil Clement was deflected over by Birmingham defender Matthew Upson following a Kieran Richardson free-kick.

Kevin Campbell should have scored for Albion after 14 minutes but he failed to make clean contact from close range after Maik Taylor had beat out Horsfield’s cross-cum-shot and full-back Jamie Clapham was able to clear off the line.

It was all Albion in the opening 20 minutes and a shot from Richardson took a deflection off Upson and thudded against the post with Taylor well beaten.

But the Blues keeper came to his side’s rescue when he tipped a Gera header over from Greening’s inswinging corner.

On-loan Liverpool midfielder Diao became the first player to be booked for chopping down Richardson but after Albion’s initial surge the match lost much of its sparkle with both sides guilty of too many misplaced passes.

Birmingham were forced into a change after 36 minutes when Olivier Tebily limped out of the action and was replaced by Stan Lazaridis.

Damien Johnson switched to right-back and Julian Gray moved from the left wing to the opposite flank to accommodate Lazaridis, who has been dogged by a thigh injury for the majority of the season.

Albion started the second half brightly and after 53 minutes the Hawthorns erupted when Clement headed Albion ahead with a goal which owed much to the persistence of Gera.

He chased down what appeared to be a lost cause to win a corner for his side and, from the resulting cross by Richardson, Clement made no mistake with a downward header after losing his marker Diao.

Blues tried to retaliate and within 60 seconds only the woodwork denied Emile Heskey an equaliser.

Lazaridis did well with his back to goal to turn and send over a right-footed cross and Heskey’s glancing header clipped the post.

But Albion were still showing more passion and desire and after 64 minutes they doubled their lead.

Horsfield’s persistence won him the ball off Kenny Cunningham before releasing Greening on the left flank.

He steadied himself before delivering a deep cross and Campbell was perfectly placed at the far post to volley home.

Campbell headed inches wide from a Horsfield cross who then left the field to standing ovation from both sets of fans in the closing minutes with the points safely secured.