Albion 2, Wolves 0 - Crystal Palace play-off tie secured

Albion have set up a mouthwatering two-leg play-off tie against Crystal Palace after securing a 2-0 victory at home to Wolves.

Kazenga LuaLua’s first half double condemned the visitors to relegation for the second consecutive season and see them take their place in the English third tier for the first time since 1989.

Wolves fans’ slim hopes of survival were boosted when Bakary Sako’s clever shot struck the post within the opening three minutes, but any glimmer of belief would be shattered soon after.

Albion winger Kazenga LuaLua, who almost didn’t play a part due to a broken finger, cut in from a wide position and fizzed his effort past Dorus De Vries in the Wolves goal.

Tomasz Kuszczak then won the applause of the 30,003 fans in attendance when he pulled off two fine stops from Nouha Dicko and Roger Johnson respectively.

Albion then doubled their lead when LuaLua’s superb solo effort ended with a neat step-over and a strong strike six minutes before the interval.

Kevin Doyle went closest for Wolves in the second half when his attempt from distance was parried by Kuszczak, but Dean Saunders and his men knew their fate and the energy was sapped from their performance.

Ashley Barnes almost added a third when he fluffed his lines from deep inside the opposition area and Vicente also went close in the final stages of the game.

Albion travel to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace on Friday 10th May, 19:45 ko.