Blackpool 1-2 West Ham – Vaz Te Fires Hammers Back Into The Big Time (Photos & Highlights)

Alan Duffy

19th, May 2012

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By Alan Duffy

Blackpool 1-2 West Ham United – Premier League – 19th May 2012

A late Ricardo Vaz Te strike secured a return to the Premier League for West Ham after a fantastic Championship play-off final at Wembley.

Carlton Cole opened the scoring for the Hammers on 35 minutes after Blackpool had missed a number of superb chances to take the lead. However, just three minutes after the break, Thomas Ince bagged a superb goal to level the scores.

Both sides then had chances to win the game and gain entry to the top tier before finally, with just three minutes of normal time left, Portuguese striker Ricardo Vaz Te blasted home from close-range to put the East Londoners back in the top flight.

No doubt the irony of West Ham taking the place of relegated Blackburn Rovers will be lost on Big Sam Allardyce. Although, unfortunately we won’t get to see the ‘colourful’ Ian Holloway grace the Premier League once again.

With Reading and Southampton also promoted and Bolton and Wolves dropping down a division along with Blackburn, the south of England will also be far bettered represented in the Premier League in 2012/13. A good year for ‘southern softies’!.

Photos…

Highlights to follow…

Photos: PA