Another Pool for the Premier League...

• zocoss

  23 May 10, 00:48

  Blackpool seal Premier League place after enthralling win over Cardiff

  

  Blackpool's Brett Ormerod scores his side's third goal against Cardiff in the Championship play-off final at Wembley. Photograph: John Walton/Empics Sport

   

  

  Back in the big time: Blackpool have been promoted to the Premier League following Championship play-off win over Cardiff City

   

   

   

  Blackpool have become the smallest club to reach the Premier League after coming from behind, in the sunshine of Wembley, to beat favourites Cardiff City and take their place in top flight football for the first time since 1971.

  Next season's Premier League vaudeville will feature Ian Holloway's always colourful off-message exhortations and the famous old club of Stanley Matthews and Alan Ball, thanks to the first-half winner from Brett Ormerod that swept Blackpool into English football's top echelon for a first time since 1971.

  For the club whose ground can house a maximum 12,555 spectators the reward is the £90m golden ticket for breaking into the Premier League's cash-soaked arenas, and the chance to avoid becoming the 12th team to be relegated instantly from the 19 that have now won the right to play in the competition since it began in 1992.

  For Cardiff City defeat means a long drive back to the grind of the Championship and the grim reality of a winding-up order from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs due to an unpaid £1.9m tax bill.

  The 24th edition of this occasion proved one for the memory banks, immediately lifting off into an orbit – and the pulsating action did not relent throughout.

  Cardiff settled quicker, and eight minutes in took the lead. Michael Chopra's 21st strike of the season arrived after Peter Whittingham's infield turn was followed by a ball to the forward, whose precise shot easily defeated Matt Gilk.

  Within four minutes Holloway's team levelled. Stephen McPhail handballed needlessly and from the free-kick Charlie Adam struck his left foot through the ball for a curving finish that left David Marshall flapping at air.

  Nine minutes before the break Joe Ledley slotted beyond Gilks from Whittingham's superb through-ball, before Gary Taylor-Fletcher smashed home for Blackpool's second equaliser, after Marshall fumbled a corner.

  By half-time Blackpool had their defining lead, Ormerod making no mistake from close range, following DJ Campbell's run inside City's area.

  Blackpool knew it would be their day in the sun when Cardiff continued to press after the break but failed to make the breakthrough.

• Poignant

  23 May 10, 01:11

  welcome welcome

• TTFU

  23 May 10, 01:12

  Next season swimming pool

• zocoss

  23 May 10, 01:46

  Next season when they meet... The tie will be billed as, Meeting of the "Black Liver" Pools match... lol...

• zocoss

  23 May 10, 01:47

  Btw, any other pools in the whole league?

  More pools coming up?

   

• Rooney9

  23 May 10, 04:40

  relegation favourites next season.

• CannyOng

  23 May 10, 05:37

  I thought they are more link to Blackburn than pool?

  Battle of Black.

• Bus&Soccer l0v3r (VO3x 1)

  23 May 10, 09:47

  lolx
  
  welcome
  
  
  hmm that DJ Campbell loan club

• sand king

  23 May 10, 10:44

  Originally posted by zocoss:

  Btw, any other pools in the whole league?

  More pools coming up?

   

  Hartlepool United, that's the only one I can think of.

• Paisley

  23 May 10, 10:51

  Next year confirm go back Championship.

• sand king

  23 May 10, 11:05

  Originally posted by CannyOng:

  I thought they are more link to Blackburn than pool?

  Battle of Black.

  I don't think people will look into that, it's too racist sounding (in their country)

• CKeer

  23 May 10, 12:15

  Blackpool reminds me of Burnley.

• omgukilledkenny

  23 May 10, 12:37

  I believe Cardiff would be a pretty faraway destination to play at for most EPL clubs? (considering its in Wales).

  So most EPL clubs would be happy with Blackpool being promoted I guess? lol.

• Bus&Soccer l0v3r (VO3x 1)

  23 May 10, 12:41

  Originally posted by omgukilledkenny:

  I believe Cardiff would be a pretty faraway destination to play at for most EPL clubs? (considering its in Wales).

  So most EPL clubs would be happy with Blackpool being promoted I guess? lol.

  
  maybe they thot it will be sure win
  
  for wad i see
  
  BlackPool can become another Derby or Watford

• MaNyZeR

  23 May 10, 13:21

  they will be relegation materials next season... maybe they will beat the record of having the fewest points in the top flight and maybe also the most goals conceded.

• Paisley

  23 May 10, 13:40

  Another Derby County in making?

• dragg

  24 May 10, 11:12

  blackpool finished 9 pts behind forest but gained promotion through the play-offs.

  how sad it must be for forest fans.

   

• zocoss

  24 May 10, 11:35

  Maybe they turn out to be more like Blackburn where many thought they won't last but they have survived the premier league for many years already... Get an experienced manager would help their cause to staying up... The likes of West Brom, Wolves and Wigan are also strong possibilities for the drop next season.

  The only strange thing about them coming up is... They were  6th place on the table. A long way in points from the 3rd, 4th and 5th places sides... and 32 from the leader Newcastle... lol.

  The play-off system has indeed worked in their favour...