Baggies reach play-off final

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…

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 Albion into the Championship play-off final.

The Baggies ensured their Wembley showdown with Derby on Monday, May 28th, 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 in all competitions during 2006-07.

After the game Phillips said West Brom firmly deserve their place in the play-off final.

READ MORE

"We're delighted, first of all, to have got through," the former Watford, Sunderland and Southampton striker told Sky Sports 1.

"We knew it would be an exceptionally tough game tonight and the first goal would be massive. Thankfully it's gone to us.

"I missed a header in the first half but I couldn't miss that, it was a great cross by (Robert) Koren.

"I'm delighted. I don't think there can be any grumbles (about the outcome) and anyone who says differently is watching two different games. I think we were the better team over the two legs."

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.

"It (tonight's win) means nothing to me, I have no feeling of joy in my stomach. 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."

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy spoke of his pride despite defeat.

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

"We had our chance on Sunday when we were by far the better side for the majority of the game. That was our opportunity.

"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."