Albion 3 Birmingham 1

Peter Odemwingie inspired a stirring second-half comeback as Albion claimed bragging rights in the season's opening West Midlands derby.

On the day Baggies fans unfurled an anti-racism banner in support of their Nigerian international, Odemwingie forced Scott Dann into an own-goal to draw the hosts level on 51 minutes.

Then the Albion star man pounced to make it 2-1 just before the hour-mark before Jonas Olsson headed home Albion's third with 20 minutes remaining.

Cameron Jerome had seized on poor Albion defending at a corner to give Blues a half-time lead.

Albion struggled in the first half to recreate the tempo of last weekend's draw with Tottenham.

But they still had a chance to take the lead on 14 minutes when Jerome Thomas burst down the left and his cross found Odemwingie, but his shot was off target.

Blues looked more comfortable and they were good value for the lead they gained on 15 minutes, although it took some slack Baggies defending to bring the goal.

They failed to pick up Scott Dann, who headed Sebastian Larsson's free-kick across goal, and they also left Cameron Jerome unmarked to force it home.

Albion had another opportunity when Gonzalo Jara drove forward and found Chris Brunt, whose cross was bundled into Foster's arms by Paul Scharner.

The Baggies applied some pressure late in the half with a succession of corners but they could not force a breakthrough.

However, the home side stepped up the pace after the interval and they were level within six minutes with half-time substitute Graham Dorrans heavily involved.

His excellent pass inside Stephen Carr released Thomas into the Blues box and his cross-shot flew between Odemwingie's legs and in off Dann's heel.

They were 2-1 up on 59 minutes when a crossfield ball from Nicky Shorey was inadvertently turned towards his own by Lee Bowyer and Odemwingie stole in to intercept, rounding goalkeeper Ben Foster before finishing with the aid of a slight deflection off Dann.

And it got better for the hosts when they increased their advantage with 20 minutes to go, Olsson rising above Liam Ridgewell to power home a header from Brunt's corner.