English Championship Play-off semi-final/ West Brom 1 Wolves 0: West Bromwich Albion's intoxicating yet often self-defeating brand of football paid off handsomely last night as they booked their place in the Championship play-off final.

Having seen off their closest neighbours in another compelling and fairly fought contest thanks to Kevin Phillips scoring the club's 100th goal of the season, another Midlands club, Derby County, stand in their way of an immediate return to the Premiership.

West Brom's progress to the final comes at a cost to Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton, as Paul McShane's involvement means he will miss next week's senior internationals against Ecuador and Bolivia in the United States.

Albion started brightly and Wolves keeper Wayne Hennessey was fortunate a low first-half cross from Jason Koumas that skidded across his six-yard area evaded West Brom striker Kevin Phillips.

West Brom's approach left them vulnerable to the counter-attack. Not least when they were opened up by Seyi Olofinjana's pass but survived as Andy Keogh fired over Dean Keily's crossbar.

Undaunted, West Brom continued to attack with Koumas proving a danger down their left flank.

Wolves repelled a one-two involving Koumas and Diomansy Kamara before the former delivered a diagonal cross that Phillips' glancing header sent just wide of the far post. Wolves responded and Olofinjana headed over from a corner-kick.

After the interval Mick McCarthy tried to inject life into his team by replacing Michael McIndoe with Stephen Gleeson, another of his promising youngsters.

Kamara emphasised West Brom's increasing superiority with a stinging shot that Hennessey held before Phillips confirmed it by heading home Koren's cross from the left.

Having finally established a two-goal cushion, Albion then did their best to puncture it, Sam Sodje hacking the ball off his goalline after failing to find Kiely with a backpass.

Bothroyd followed up by wasting a chance, scooping the ball over Kiely's bar from close range.

• Guardian Service

WEST BROM: Kiely, McShane, Perry, Sodje, Robinson, Koren, Greening, Gera, Koumas, Kamara (MacDonald 83), Phillips (Ellington 79). Subs Not Used: Daniels, Clement, Carter. Booked: Kamara. Goal: Phillips 65.

WOLVERHAMPTON: Hennessey, Neill Collins, Breen, Craddock, McNamara (Mulgrew 76), Kightly (Ward 84), Olofinjana, Potter, McIndoe (Gleeson 59), Bothroyd, Keogh. Subs Not Used: Oakes, Little. Booked: Potter.

Referee: M Halsey(Lancashire).