IT LOOKED from afar as if Albion’s players had chosen the wrong type of stud on this lush green grass for their flip-flops.

But that cynical viewpoint would do an injustice to Wolves who battered them for 40 minutes, leapt into a three-goal lead and then watched as a myriad of Baggies chances flitted into view and then flitted out of view like a butterfly flits on to the next flower.

Zoltan Gera, Jonathan Greening, Diomansy Kamara, Kevin Phillips, Jordao, Darren Bradley, Bob Taylor, Paul Mardon and Matt Carbon... this was for you.

So much hurt. Now so much ecstasy.

Why so good in all the big games this season? Man United, Man City, Chelsea, Liverpool and now Albion.

‘What’s the wing speed velocity of the American Swallow?’, retorted Mick McCarthy, Cantona-esque in its brilliance.

The biggest derby win since Iwan Roberts’ tremendous treble. The biggest on home turf in a decade.

Albion playing with the ‘knife to their throat’ as their manager said for two months, now defending with inflatable toys at their feet.

Peter Odemwingie became the first player in 40 years for Albion to score in five successive top-flight games. He’s already right up there with Taylor and Phillips. The only shining light.

Steven Fletcher’s ovation – not seen in recent Molineux history. As if Kenny Hibbitt or John Richards had entered the fray.

It would have been four had the excellent workhorse, Stephen Ward, not blasted a millimetre or so wide when put clean through on Scott Carson.

Sylvan Ebanks-Blake was also denied by Carson at his near post.

And yet the sign that proclaimed five minutes of injury time was greeted by the hoards as if it read: ‘Osama Bin Laden is alive after all and says the blood on the picture was after he had cut himself shaving.’

Roy Hodgson’s darkest hour as Albion boss undoubtedly. Injury time and there he was looking at his watch waiting for a home throw-in to be taken.

His first away defeat, which says something when that run has included Stoke, Blues, Sunderland and Tottenham.

Even a sneaky flare, which has been snuck into the ground for the third game after Notts County and Albion, didn’t mar a glorious victory.

Wolves have now beaten Blues, Villa and Albion to complete a remarkable West Midlands record of played six; won three, drawn two and lost one.

None tasted any sweeter than this.

Surely Wolves can’t throw safety away now?