West Brom 2 Wolves 0

Chris Brunt and Peter Odemwingie were West Brom's derby heroes as the Baggies downed Wolves.

Captain Brunt smashed them ahead after just eight minutes at the Hawthorns before super-sub Odemwingie sealed the game with a killer second 15 minutes from time.

The Nigerian ended a troubled week on a positive note after he was involved in a Twitter row with Nigerian fans after the country's failure to qualify for the African Cup of Nations.

The Baggies were worthy winners after Wolves failed to shine, but captain Roger Johnson missed a glorious chance to level on 67 minutes when he headed wide.

Defeat was Wolves' fifth on the trot and saw West Brom leapfrog them in the Premier League as their 15-year wait for a win at the Hawthorns continued.

Baggies boss Roy Hodgson sprung a derby surprise and handed Billy Jones his Premier League debut at left-back, as Nicky Shorey dropped to the bench.

The former Crewe defender had only previously appeared in the Carling Cup since his summer switch from Preston.

Paul Scharner replaced Graham Dorrans while Jerome Thomas was in for James Morrison and Somen Tchoyi came in for Odemwingie.

Wolves were without Steven Fletcher – sidelined with a calf injury – so Nenad Milijas made his first league start of the season and first appearance since the 5-0 Carling Cup win over Millwall last month.

Adam Hammill replaced the benched Stephen Hunt as Wolves lined up 4-4-1-1 with Milijas playing off Kevin Doyle.

Wolves made the brighter start with Jones forced to blocked Jamie O'Hara's effort after three minutes following Stephen Ward's deep cross.

Mick McCarthy's men made the early running but the Hawthorns exploded after eight minutes when Brunt fired Albion ahead.

Tchoyi's persistence allowed Youssouf Mulumbu to play in Jones and the youngster's cut back found Brunt to smash high past Wayne Hennessey from 12 yards.

Buoyed by the goal the hosts surged forward and Shane Long stung Hennessey's palms on 12 minutes but 60 seconds later Wolves almost levelled.

The home side failed to clear Matt Jarvis' cross and, when goalkeeper Ben Foster saved Milijas' effort, Jonas Olsson was on the line to deny Doyle a certain goal.

Christophe Berra chopped down Long to receive the first caution after 25 minutes and, two minutes later, Ward saved Wolves with a last-ditch challenge to thwart Long following Jerome Thomas' cross.

West Brom were on top and pressing with Tchoyi in particular causing Wolves problems, as the visitors struggled to create clear openings.

Mulumbu's 25-yard drive was spilled by Hennessey but the Baggies failed to react before, on 40 minutes, Scharner shot wide after Long breezed past Johnson on the left.

Johnson struggled to contain the Republic of Ireland striker and, five minutes after the break, escaped a potential red card.

The Wolves captain was extremely fortunate after referee Chris Foy waved play on when he brought the striker down 30 yards out.

Replays showed Johnson failed to win the ball.

West Brom continued to press and Mulumbu fired over after 54 minutes, but they were indebted to Foster for keeping them ahead two minutes later.

Substitute Sylvan Ebanks-Blake fed Adam Hammill in the area and the winger's angled effort was creeping into the corner, before Foster got the slightest touch to turn behind.

Wolves had started to create, even if they lacked invention, and Johnson should have levelled on 67 minutes.

Doyle did well on the left and sent in a teasing cross for the defender, who rose above Jones but could only plant his five-yard header wide.

But any hopes of a Wolves revival were ended by Odemwingie after 75 minutes when the substitute made the game safe.

Scharner darted into the area and, after Ward failed to make a challenge, the midfielder's clever backheel found Odemwingie, who coolly stroked into the corner from 15-yards.

Steven Reid blazed over soon and Adelene Guedioura acrobatically volleyed over but West Brom eased to victory.