WEST BROM clinched promotion to the Premier League as Brentford and Fulham suffered a final day heartbreak.
Callum Robinson grabbed the all-important goal as Barnsley clinched survival with a last-ditch win against the Bees.
West Brom have secured promotion to Premier LeagueCredit: PA:Press Association
Callum Robinson celebrates after his strike for West Brom against QPRCredit: PA:Press Association
The tense shoot-out for a place in the top-flight produced plenty of twists and turns on a dramatic climax to the Championship.
Fulham, who needed both Brentford and West Brom to lose, were the first to show their nerves as they fell behind to Kieffer Moore’s header on 32 minutes.
The advantage then went to the Bees as QPR took a shock lead at the Hawthorns against the Baggies, who knew prior a win would guarantee top-flight football next season.
It was Ryan Manning that set the cat amongst the pigeons to put the Rs up and Brentford into second – but that would change within a matter of seconds.
Callum Styles deservedly put relegation-battling Barnsley ahead at Griffin Park and within moments West Brom were level through Grady Diangana to go back second.
That put them back second with just 45 minutes to go on the campaign.
West Brom stars celebrate their promotion to the Premier LeagueCredit: PA:Press Association
Players met fans outside the stadium… and one supporter brought his dogCredit: Reuters
Said Benrahma and Brentford suffered final day heartbreak
Clarke Oduor is mobbed by his team-mates after firing Barnsley to survival
Fulham got themselves back into the running courtesy of a Neeskens Kebano but the wind was quickly taken out of their sails as news filtered through that Callum Robinson had put West Brom into a 2-1 lead.
That Kebano stunner was also a bitter blow to Wigan as it placed them into the relegation zone, albeit only if that 12-point deduction still stands after their appeal.
Barnsley, who were still hanging on at Brentford, looked like their efforts were going to be in vain as they remained a point adrift of safety as Luton led Blackburn 3-1 in their fight to avoid the drop.
Callum Robinson’s goal proved to be enough to fire Slaven Bilic’s West Brom to promotion
A large group of West Brom supporters celebrate their return to the Premier League after gathering in the townCredit: PA:Press Association
But the Bees were given another chance as Eberechi Eze set-up a tense finish at West Brom by putting QPR level at 2-2.
Meanwhile, at the bottom, Charlton Athletic were on their way down as they went four down away to champions Leeds United.
And Hull were cementing their place at the foot of the table as they trailed by two at Cardiff, who eventually won 3-0, to seal their play-off spot.
Back at the top, the tension increased as Josh Da Silva struck an equaliser for Brentford, who knew a winner would take them up if the scores remained the same.
But it was Clarke Oduor who would have the final say as he struck an injury-time winner for Barnsley to end Brentford’s dream and keep his side in the Champonship.
Fulham’s 1-1 draw at Wigan condemned the Latics to the drop – unless they win their points deduction appeal.
Those results also condemned Hull, beaten 3-0 at Cardiff, and Charlton to League One.
Meanwhile, Swansea crept into the play-offs in the final seconds of the season as Wayne Routledge’s added time goal for his brace sealed a 4-1 win at Reading.
That meant they overtook Nottingham Forest, who were thrashed by the same score at home by Stoke, who slipped into secenth.
That leaves Brentford, Fulham, Cardiff and Steve Cooper’s men to battle it out for the final promotion place.
Wayne Routledge struck late to take Swansea into the play-offsCredit: PA:Press Association
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
