Wolves tamed by Vela's rescue act

Resilient boss Mick McCarthy today blasted back at the snipers after Wolves blew their derby chance.

Carlos Vela's injury-time equaliser to cancel out Jamie O'Hara's stunning opener was reward for Albion having virtually all of the chances in yesterday's first Premier League Black Country derby.

Matt Jarvis fired wide from Wolves' only other opportunity and the visitors failed to force keeper Boaz Myhill into a save in the 1-1 draw, which left them bottom of the table on goal difference.

But boss McCarthy said they never intended to spend so long defending.

"We set out to attack most weeks we don't set up to defend," said the Molineux chief. "Just because we set up 4-3-3 or 4-5-1, it's not defensive and we use it in an attacking way.

"We dominated for maybe 60 minutes yesterday but in that domination we needed a second goal. Even though the disappointment of conceding in the last minute really hurt, it was still a point.

"If we play like that for the rest of the season I still think we'll be fine."

McCarthy refused to blame keeper Wayne Hennessey after he spilled James Morrison's late shot for the equaliser.

"It was a bobbly pitch and it went through a lot of legs," he said.

"He might feel he could have hung onto it because he's a top goalkeeper.

"But Wayne has been fabulous and if it was a mistake, he'll be back to his best and looking for a clean sheet this Saturday. We should have blocked the original shot."

McCarthy also supported Jarvis over his missed chance: "I'm not going to condemn him because he was terrific again."