Promoted Wolves move one point from Championship title

Soccer Football - Championship - Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Birmingham City - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - April 15, 2018 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Willy Boly and team mates celebrate promotion after the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

LONDON (Reuters) - Promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers beat Midlands rivals Birmingham City 2-0 at Molineux on Sunday to edge to within a point of securing the Championship title.

Diogo Jota's first half goal and substitute Benik Afobe's chip after the interval secured the points for Wolves while Birmingham had captain Harlee Dean dismissed seven minutes after halftime for a foul on Helder Costa.

Wolves ended their six-year exile from the Premier League on Saturday when Fulham could only draw with Brentford.

Soccer Football - Championship - Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Birmingham City - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - April 15, 2018 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Helder Costa in action Birmingham City's Cheick Ndoye Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

They will be assured of the title if they avoid defeat against lowly Bolton Wanderers next Saturday.

"It's a big moment for us, it's very important," Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo told Sky Sports.

"The players will celebrate like normal, but at the end of the season we'll have our deserved celebration."

Soccer Football - Championship - Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Birmingham City - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - April 15, 2018 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Diogo Jota in action with Birmingham City's Jota Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

While Wolves can start planning for life back in the top flight, Birmingham are in grave danger of slipping into the third tier of English football.

They are in 21st position, two points above the relegation zone but Barnsley, the team occupying the last relegation place, have a game in hand of Garry Monk's side.

Soccer Football - Championship - Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Birmingham City - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - April 15, 2018 Birmingham City's Harlee Dean is shown a red card by referee Andy Davies Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Toby Davis)

Soccer Football - Championship - Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Birmingham City - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - April 15, 2018 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Diogo Jota scores their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Soccer Football - Championship - Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Birmingham City - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - April 15, 2018 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Diogo Jota celebrates scoring their first goal with team mates Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Soccer Football - Championship - Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Birmingham City - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - April 15, 2018 Wolverhampton Wanderers' John Ruddy makes a save Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Soccer Football - Championship - Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Birmingham City - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - April 15, 2018 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Benik Afobe scores their second goal Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Soccer Football - Championship - Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Birmingham City - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - April 15, 2018 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Benik Afobe celebrates scoring their second goal Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Soccer Football - Championship - Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Birmingham City - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - April 15, 2018 Wolverhampton Wanderers fans display a banner Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers