Kev relishing 'special' clash

Last updated : 14 May 2007 By Danny Deeming
Kevin Phillips has predicted a 'special' second leg in the Championship play-off semi-final between arch rivals Wolves and West Brom.The veteran striker took his tally at the home of bitter rivals Wolves to seven in eight games with a brace as Mick McCarthy's profligate Wanderers were overturned 3-2 in Sunday's riveting first leg. Both sides held the lead in a frenetic, enthralling match, but the visitors eventually came back from 2-1 down to claim a vital advantage ahead of Wednesday night's showdown at The Hawthorns. But rather than reflecting on the Indian sign he appears to hold over Molineux, the 33-year-old hailed his team-mates' fighting spirit in the midst of an intimidating atmosphere at the home of their Black Country rivals - and predicted an equally-compelling second instalment in two days' time.
"Players tend to have lucky grounds and fortunately for me mine is Molineux. We are delighted to go into the game with the lead. But Wolves showed what they can do. Wednesday will be a special game. We have shown we can be resilient many times this season and to come back from 2-1 down away from home was excellent. There is a great determination in the team and we know we have the players who can score goals. It gives us an edge and Wednesday night should be an exciting game."
After Phillips had given West Brom a 25th-minute lead, Jody Craddock's headed equaliser on the stroke of half-time and Seyi Olofinjana's tap-in seven minutes after the restart appeared to have put Wolves in the box seat. But Phillips' far-post header from a corner and Diomansy Kamara's cool finish with 17 minutes remaining swung the tie firmly back in Albion's favour. Wanderers' hopes had been hit before the kick-off by the news that star goalkeeper Matt Murray had been ruled out of the entire play-off campaign with a damaged shoulder sustained in training on the eve of the game.