Premier League: Birmingham City 1 West Brom 3

Birmingham City suffered a Wembley hangover, slumping to a 3-1 defeat to Midlands and relegation rivals West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

The win – Roy Hodgson’s first since becoming manager – lifts Albion above Birmingham and out of the English Premier League relegation zone.

Conversely, defeat immediately bursts City’s bubble after their Carling Cup victory over Arsenal last Sunday, and drops Alex McLeish’s side to 17th on the table.

Both sides cancelled each other out in a forgettable first half, with Birmingham striker Cameron Jerome having the better of the chances created.

First, he capitalised on a West Brom mistake to fire wide from 25 yards. He went closer just before half-time, stooping to head Jean Beausejour’s cross inches wide.

The game came to life after the break, with the away side opening the scoring two minutes into the second half.

Peter Odemwingie came on as a half-time substitute and made an immediate impact, keeping possession while surrounded by four Birmingham players.

He played the ball through to Youssuf Mulumbu, who poked the ball past Ben Foster.

Birmingham hit back and were level within a minute, with Beausejour turning in Lee Bowyer’s cross for his first ever Premier League goal.

But West Brom took the lead again 10 minutes later thanks to superb piece of skill by midfielder James Morrison.

Picking the ball up 25 yards out, he flicked the ball past Curtis Davies before smashing an unstoppable shot past City goalkeeper Ben Foster.

Odemwingie should have put Albion further ahead, firing over with the entire goal to aim at after Chris Brunt’s low strike came crashing back off the post.

A third goal did come for Albion, in the 72nd minute.

Birmingham switched off at a West Brom short corner, which allowed Morrison time to cross. Paul Scharner headed goalwards at the back post and, while Foster got a touch to clear, assistant referee Darren Cann flagged to say the ball had crossed the line.