Share

West Ham reach playoff final

London - West Ham United are just one match away from an immediate return to the English Premier League following last season's relegation after over-powering Cardiff City in the Championship playoff semi-final.

The Londonders, in front of their Upton Park home crowd, won 3-0 on Monday for a 5-0 aggregate victory.

They will now face either Birmingham City or Blackpool - both also relegated last term, and who conclude their play-off semi-final on Wednesday - in the playoff final at Wembley on May 19.

The match is often billed as 'the richest game in football' as a place in the Premier League is worth an estimated £90m to the winning club.

Having suffered the disappointment of missing out on automatic promotion behind Championship winners Reading and runners-up Southampton, West Ham wasted little time feeling sorry for themselves.

They came into Monday's match on the back of a 2-0 first-leg win in Cardiff courtesy of two Jack Collison goals and the tie was put beyond any lingering doubt when midfielder Kevin Nolan opened the scoring in the 15th minute.

Ricardo Vaz Te made it 2-0 five minutes prior to the break before Nicky Maynard set the seal on an emphatic victory with a 90th-minute goal against a Cardiff side already beaten by Liverpool in this season's League Cup final at Wembley.

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce told Sky Sports: "The response at Cardiff and this performance were terrific. I'm pleased for everybody concerned with West Ham United.

"We have a huge opportunity to get into the golden league, not for the money from my point of view, but because that is where it all happens."

As for the final, Allardyce added: "It is big pressure for us. Whoever we get, whether it is Birmingham or Blackpool, we are probably going to be favourites and we have to live with that.

"Hopefully the players can look forward to it and deliver another outstanding performance."

For Cardiff defeat meant yet more playoff heartache, having lost in the semi-finals to Reading last season after being beaten in the 2010 Championship playoff final by Blackpool.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE