All Square In West Midlands Derby: Full Report

Steffen Iversen

ALL SQUARE

IN WEST MIDLANDS

DERBY

8th November 2003 | Wolves 1 Birmingham 1 (Iversen)

 Wolves, like Birmingham were both coming out of losses. The controversial game at the Riverside Stadium was still fresh in the minds of all associated with Wolves whilst the 2-1 loss at the hands of Charlton were still firmly in the minds of all associated with the Blues.

 With International duty taking centre stage next week it was important that Wolves did not lose and took at least a point from the first West Midlands Derby in the Premiership before the break.

 Dave Jones decided to alter his formation to the simple 4-4-2 with Iversen and Miller in attack, Rae, Ince and Camara were in Midfield, those joined with Mark Kennedy who was recalled from the bench after last week. Oakes, Naylor, Irwin, Craddock and Butler were the men at the back.

 On a freezing cold day at Molineux, despite the sun shining there was not too much to talk about in the first half, although Wolves did have the better chances.

 A long-range Steffen Iversen shot was turned around the post by the in-form Taylor and Johnson headed off the line from a Jody Craddock header after Camara and Iversen again had missed the target by huge proportions.

 Neither side changed formation or playing staff in the second half and despite Wolves having the most of the opening minutes in the second period it was Birmingham who struck first.

 A ball played through to Forssell saw the blonde haired star at Blues on loan from Chelsea turn Jody Craddock and smash the ball through the legs of Oakes into the net.

 An equaliser looked unlikely but David Dunn spent too long on the ball in the Wolves half and the inspirational Alex Rae sprinted down the pitch to win a corner.

 The same man lofted the corner into the box, Butler swung a leg but only just caught the ball which fell to Henri Camara who drilled the ball back low across the face of goal where Iversen was waiting to tap home.

 In the final minute Wolves could have won the game, Henri Camara again drilled the ball across the face of the six yard box and the in-rushing Iversen was just denied by England Defender Matthew Upson.

 FT: Wolves 1 Birmingham 1

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Wolves: Oakes, Naylor, Irwin, Butler, Craddock, Kennedy, Ince, Rae, Camara, Miller, Iversen.
Attendance:29,000