Australian international Steve Corica steered Wolves closer to a place in the
play-offs as they completed the double over Birmingham.
The former Leicester midfielder started and finished the move that earned
Wolves their decisive 12th minute strike. It also extended their impressive run
to just one defeat in their last 17 League games.
But the defeat was Birmingham's second successive home loss. But they already
have 72 points and that should be good enough for a play-off place.
After right-back Kevin Muscat had tested Birmingham goalkeeper Kevin Poole
with an early free-kick, Wolves broke the deadlock in stunning style.
It was started and finished by Corica who initially picked up the ball on the
edge of his own penalty area. He exchanged passes with Carl Robinson and then
powered forward before sliding a through ball to Neil Emblen.
Corica continued his run forward and when Emblen crossed from the left he was
able to steer his shot past Poole.
Birmingham, who were without striker Nicky Forster after he failed a fitness
test on a hamstring strain, launched a frantic effort to pull back.
They looked to have been rewarded for their efforts in the 27th minute when
central defender Michael Johnson went forward to power in a close-range header.
But he was denied by Wolves defender Michael Gilkes, who headed his effort off
the line before seeing it scrambled to safety.
Birmingham stepped up the pressure in search of an equaliser, with Dele
Adebola twice going close, but Wolves really have extended their lead before
half-time.
Norwegian international striker Havard Flo flicked the ball into the path of
Corica after 28 minutes but this time his finishing let him down and he steered
his shot wide from 12 yards.
In a fiercely contested clash, Wolves skipper Keith Curle and Birmingham
midfielder Bryan Hughes were booked during a frantic first-half. Birmingham's
David Holdsworth and Martin Grainger and Wolves' Steve Sedgley quickly followed
them into the book in the opening stages of the second half.
Wolves were coming under pressure as Birmingham went in search of an
equaliser, but Curle and central defensive partner Dean Richards were in
outstanding form.
But Birmingham's persistence looked set to pay off in the 76th minute through
substitute Lee Bradbury. Bradbury, on loan from Crystal Palace, cut in from the
right and fired in a shot that was deflected on to the bar before being
cleared.
Teams
Birmingham (0) 0 Wolverhampton (1) 1
Birmingham: Poole, Rowett, Holdsworth, Johnson (Robinson 66),
Grainger, Hyde (Wassall 81), McCarthy, O'Connor,
Ndlovu (Bradbury 66), Adebola, Hughes.
Booked: Hughes, Holdsworth, Grainger.
Wolverhampton: Stowell, Muscat, Curle, Richards, Gilkes, Sedgley,
Emblen, Robinson, Simpson, Flo (Bull 85), Corica.
Subs Not Used: Atkins, Naylor.
Booked: Curle, Sedgley.
Goals: Corica 13.
Att: 28,143
Ref: B Knight (Orpington).
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