19/05/2012 The Football League Show

After days of anticipation and nervous tension, the big day has

finally arrived. We are delighted to announce tonight that The

Football League Show is to continue on the BBC for the next three

seasons, we have secured a new deal to start from August. But the real

reason we're here is to reflect on a monumental day in the

Championship, as Blackpool and West Ham contested one of the most

lucrative games in English football. Despite missing out on automatic

promotion, West Ham comfortably beat Cardiff. And Sam Allardyce's

side were not in the mood to let it slip back at Upton Park. No doubt

about it, the Hammers meant business. Blackpool of course have

a wonderful play-off record. And they held firm against Birmingham.

They were off to Wembley, hopefully all the way to the Premier League.

A simply massive game for both teams, who are looking for an

immediate return to the top flight, and the huge financial rewards that

go with it. I am joined by a man who knows what it is like to score

the winner in this match, someone who has had plenty of success down

the years, Steve Claridge. It is the most dramatic way to get to the

Premier League, and the most heartbreaking way to miss out. Your

commentary team, Mark Bright and of a draining campaign, and it has

all come down to one day of destiny. Both clubs have experienced this

before, but only one will be able to claim the golden ticket.

Blackballed include four of the team that beat Cardiff here two

years ago. It would have been five, but Gary Taylor-Fletcher has failed

a fitness test on an ankle injury. Kevin Phillips starts in his place.

For West Ham, Jack Collison has recovered from a dislocated

shoulder. They are led by Kevin Nolan, who was with Sam Allardyce

in this final 11 years ago, to lead Bolton into the top flight. So, it

is west Ham have get us under way. These two separated by 11 points in

the regular season. West Ham won both league meetings. Which one of

these two teams will be going straight back to the Premier

League? West Ham immediately on the front foot with Kevin Nolan. A

Gary Taylor-Fletcher. But it is a great opportunity for Kevin

the ball. That was a mistake, what a moment that was full stop the

most relieved man is Matt Taylor. He tries to chest it back to the

goalkeeper, but it was a great save Ricardo Vaz Te. Still going, Vaz Te.

He was just off balance at the all- important moment. That was the

first time he has had the ball at the way they have started. Phillips

has gone for the return, Matt Phillips! He could not generate

enough power to trouble Robert Green. Great link-up play. Now, he

takes a touch - take another touch and get it out of your feet! You

could see what he was trying to do, but he got it between his feet.

Phillips again! It is still Matt Phillips! And he still cannot find

a way through for Blackpool. And Demel is the most relieved man in

the stadium. There's he missed times it, and then he has not got

enough time to recover. Awful Carlton Cole, and into the side-

netting by Ricardo Vaz Te! That's the best we have seen from West Ham

so far. This is an excellent pass to Ricardo Vaz Te. It is a tight

defending very well, getting header came from Carlton Cole, over

the crossbar. Great ball in. Blackpool, sitting a little bit

deeper. Carlton just gets in front Gilks did not get there! It is

another corner to West Ham. There is a lot of pace on the ball.

Goalkeeper comes for it, nowhere near. Both managers pointed to the

importance of set pieces before the game, and here's another one for

West Ham, third in a row. What you need is a quality ball in, and that

is what West Ham have provided so far from both sides. Do not foul

just over half an hour gone, the deadlock still to be broken. Headed

away by Kevin Phillips, on the edge of his own six-yard box. That's

blocked by Ince, and it is another West Ham corner. Good pressure by

West Ham. Blackpool have to weather the end. But it was Tomkins who

headed this one back. He kept his eye on it, when we thought it was

going out, he recovered it. There needs some support. It has come to

Taylor. He gets it back again. Carlton Cole! West Ham's leading

scorer scores at Wembley in the final! First blood to the Hammers.

Well, the stadium is absolutely rocking. We talk about the early

chances that Blackpool had. Is this a foul? I think it is. From that,

they go and score. Good counter- attack, but you have to say, I

think Blackpool are unhappy with that decision. Good touch from

Carlton Cole, and an emphatic finish. That's the difference.

Blackpool have had two good opportunities and wasted them.

different emotions in those technical areas. That's what it

means to this lot, and you could found him! What an opportunity that

was for Vaz Te. He could not take it! Great movement from Vaz Te. He

comes up short then pulls off. I don't know why he shoots from there.

But even if he is shooting on his little bit of experience used by

Kevin Phillips there. Can Blackpool reply before the break? Cleared

only as far as Martinez, who got right underneath the volley. He has

only scored one goal might in his first season in English football,

and he was not close to doubling it there. Is there time for black ball

to get forward one more time before time whistle. And there it is, from

Howard Webb. West Ham leading, courtesy of Carlton Cole's goal,

his 15th of the season. Blackpool season, and it is up to Blackpool

to come from behind in this one. No changes from either side at half-

time. That was a foul by Alex half-time? If we can do the same at

the start of the second-half, we are back in it. Taylor's free-kick.

The man who provided the ball for He tried to stop himself from doing

it. Gary tail or Halifax Fletcher can only look on -- Taylor-Fletcher

can only look on. An injury rules found him. It's Tom Ince Ince! 1-1.

The former West Ham player, levels it at Wembley on his fifth year

career appearance. Inside three minutes of the second-half, Tom

Ince Ince for Blackpool. Carlton Cole gives the ball away. This is a

fantastic ball here. He allows the ball to drop. A nice little caress

across the goalkeeper. Doesn't need any power. Excellent finish, back

in the game. Look at the reaction of the two managers. Sam Allardyce

can't believe it. It's a long pass, a straight pass. That gives

everybody, the players and the fans a few lift. After conceding that

goal they went flat. They stopped passing the ball, lost their rhythm.

The man who was fouled got his team back in the game. He has got them

back to believing again. That is a dream start to the second-half for

Ian Holloway and Blackpool. Baptiste wants it back. It's Alex

Baptiste. It's cleared away by Taylor. Incredible. He won the ball

and continued his run forward. An excellent pass from Kevin Phillips.

The ball wouldn't come down for him, would it? He was unlucky. Phillips

to take the corner, off the head of Carlton Cole. Rob Green wanted that.

Blackpool's way now. They are keeping possession, back in the

What a good challenge by Reid to deny Dobbie. I'm really surprised.

He knows how to finish. Was he offside? No, he's not. Great

decision. There was space in front of him he could of got a shot in.

Green has come from the corner. He it is a taken it cleanly. Baptiste

was the one here? He starts the play here. Look at the space.

Phillips has come short. Continues his run between the centre-backs.

That ball there, I'm thinking stoop and head it. He said his team were

a dead duck last summer, no-one gave them a chance. He's got his

again. Taylor's cross! In went Collison, who might just have

fallen on the shoulder he dislocated in stretching for this.

He is up on his feet now. He gets into that near-post and lands

he pulled it back. Taylor. Collison is back on his feet. The offside

flag is up. The opportunity is gone. Vaz Te didn't do Collison any

favours with that pass. Excellent play. He draws the challenge.

Manages to poke the ball wide. Here is a good ball. Look where he puts

it. He puts it past his right foot, on to his left, he's slipping.

Awful play. Last time Blackpool lost a play-off game, Sam Allardyce

was the manager. 18 years ago against Bradford. It cost him his

first job in English football. He hasn't lost in a play-off campaign

since. I think he has proved himself since then. Into Carlton

Cole. Good save by Gilks and away by Eardley. The first touch is

excellent. Good ball in. Well watched by Reid. Phillips. Matt

Phillips had a swing. Off that left wing. Here's Dobbie, Phillips, this

is a crossing opportunity for Blackpool. Three in the penalty

area. Who will it come to? Dobbie. The man who started. It he complete

miss kicks it. Excellent play. Cut it back perfect. Here, Dobbie, he

is on the penalty spot. He only had to caress it in. He misses it

completely. They have had some Still Dobbie. Shot deflected for a

Blackpool corner. Tomkins got caught completely out of position

there. He's asking a couple of questions there. He might be

talking to Howard Webb, I think he is. He thinks he was fouled. Ince

with a corner. Away by Noble, driven over by Baptiste. Do you

have a man on the post, or don't you? On the far right you can just

see Mark Noble in position, he saves the day. Done ever so well

for his age, Kevin Phillips, substituted now. Sylvestre is on

for the last 20 minutes. Kevin Phillips, who has never won at

Wembley he can only look on to see how it will end today with

Blackpool. Dobbie went for goal. He scored here 12 months ago, to help

Swansea to the Premier League, trying to give Blackpool the lead.

As you saw there, behind the goal, corner. Kicked away by Taylor. Such

a long hard season. These players have to dig deep for 15 more big

minutes. Carlton Cole, lovely -- lovely control. Collison. He went

for goal, Collison. He couldn't keep it down. Decent play. Good

play from Carlton Cole, Collison won the ball, waited. Good support

play. It opens up. He can do. This to aim for. Totally unmarked! It

was the captain, Kevin Nolan cannot believe it. He thought that was the

moment. Great play from McCartney. He started the move. Great clip. I

think it's tipped. I think he saves it on to the bar, Gilks. Yes, what

a touch! They thought that was the moment too. They did it 11 years

ago, with Sam Allardyce, with Bolton. Free-kick to Blackpool.

should have waited just a second there. That ball was in Blackpool's

possession. He's standing right in front of Rob Green. Webb hasn't got

a problem with. It here's Dobbie. Held by Green. A little touch, out

it comes in line with the ball. Straight down the throat. Five

minutes to go. Carlton Cole. That's players know that one slip. Yes.

That is why you have to reinforce that concentration, concentrate,

focus. Stick with your man. No free headers. All those things you do

all the time in training. Lifted in from Noble. In came from the header.

The one from Tompkins looked over the crossbar. He is stretching.

That is the best he can do. Everybody is looking for that knock

back. Vaz Te is there. Nolan is there. Don't get drawn towards the

ball. Which one of these two will be in the Premier League next

season. Nolan the captain. It might come to Carlton Cole. Gilks. Vaz

West Ham United back in the big time. Absolutely incredible. Well,

he will get a card for taking his shirt off. This is missed by

everybody. Carlton Cole does well. He gets a toe on it. Vase tai's

goals have been so important for them, since he arrived from

Barnsley. That's a crucial finish. His 12th goal since arriving in

January to be reunited with Sam Allardyce. That could be the golden

goal for West Ham United. You know, Blackpool have a chance. They have

to go for. It they've had some great opportunities. They've had

some great opportunities. On reflection, talk about being

unlucky, they missed those chances. In a game like this, you can't

afford to miss chances. This game has been a rollercoaster for Sam

Allardyce. 90 seconds of the 90 minutes left. It almost came to

Martinez at the back post. This is Eardley. That should be Green's to

miss. Well, it's just hard to explain it. The atmosphere around

you, and the roar when that ball went in from Vaz Te. It's out of

stoppage time. Kevin Nolan is absolutely roasting Taylor for what

he did there. 47 years to the day since West Ham beat 1860 Munich to

win the Cup Winners' Cup here at Wembley. As we head into stoppage

time. Blackpool have given a good account of themselves, but at this

stage of the season, after everything you have done, the

opportunities they have had and not taken, that has been the difference

between these two teams. They have played some excellent football and

controlled large parts of this game, but you have to say, West Ham have

been ruthless in front of goal. Howard Webb waves away claims for a

foul. You can see here, just a little touch. It is a hard place to

come and lose, especially after such a long, hard season. No

disgrace losing to this West Ham team, they have got a lot of

experience. Mission accomplished! Sam Allardyce has led West Ham

united back into the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Ricardo Vaz Te's dramatic late winner was the golden goal for the

golden ticket. They have done it the hard way, they have done it in

the most dramatic way, but West Ham are back in the big time.

MARK BRIGHT: Congratulations to West Ham. It has been a long, hard

season, but for Blackpool, it is heartbreak. Gary Taylor-Fletcher

missing this game, what a great shame for them. But the difference

between the two team's is that West Ham took their chances and black

ball didn't. Local boy, longest serving player, relegations,

promotions, discuss... Fantastic. The boys have worked so hard all

year. We were favourites to go up but it did not work out like that,

we drew too many games. But this is amazing. It is frightening.

does this compare with a couple of years ago? This is probably better

because of the pressure we were under this season, dropping down

and everything. It is one of the best days. Up there I have got my

family, my wife and everyone, didn't just delighted. Ricardo Vaz

Te - How does it feel to have scored the goal to take West Ham

back into the Premier League? tremendous, in front of these

amazing fans, it is amazing to be here. To get the goal, it is a

bonus. It could not get any better. I had the opportunity, I have done

it. So, here comes Kevin Nolan to lead West Ham up the 107 steps at

the new Wembley Stadium to the royal box. It is a walk that feels

fantastic as a winner, particularly when the prize is a return to the

top flight of football. In his first season, he has done exactly

what he did at Newcastle, make an immediate return to the top flight

at the first time of asking. So, Kevin Nolan leads West Ham united

up to the royal box. He will receive the trophy which is West

Ham's passport back into the Premier League. They have had to

deal with the expectation. It took 49 games, but in 91 days' time,

they will begin another Premier League season! They have got back

there at the first time of asking. It will be a 56th season in the top

flight for West Ham United. As the teachers say, nothing beats being

back. -- as the T-shirts say. Sam Allardyce, the man who was given

the challenge of taking West Ham straight back up by David Gold and

David Sullivan, and it took until the last five minutes of the 49th

game that he finally delivered it. I have seen you looking better,

mate, it is not necessarily your style. Great atmosphere, great day,

great fans, great team. We put in the performance that we needed.

Blackpool came and set their stall out, they were really good, but we

just had enough to beat them. has been quite a season, but it is

now mission accomplished. We are back in the Premiership, where this

great football club deserves to be. Everybody has worked hard. I have

got to pay tribute to David Sullivan, Karren Brady, Sam

Allardyce, the players, and I did a bit as well. You have been at this

club for two thirds of your life, so what does this mean? You can see

around the place, it is just unbelievable. The players, the

staff, the whole club. It is something special to come to

Wembley and win. I have never met such a handsome centre half, but

what a player. But that is a bad thing, isn't it? No, it is not, not

the way he plays. Are you drained? Feeling drained, totally. You could

have tossed a coin which way this was going to go today. With all the

pressure being on us, the last thing I wanted was for the lads to

thing I wanted was for the lads to let themselves down today. In the

end they came up trumps. I cannot imagine the desolation you must be

feeling right now. Such is life, I'm afraid. I feel for the lads

more than myself. They were to a man fantastic, apart from taking

one or two of the chances that we created. All you can ask is the

effort, all you can give them is some advice, and boy, did they take

it on at half-time? I'm sure there will be lots of things when we look

at the stats which show that we have improved again. We needed to,

we played a very good team, and I thought we looked a very good team.

I am pretty proud, really, to be perfectly blunt with you.

margins are so fine. It could have gone the other way. It could. We

knew it would not be as easy as people thought. Blackpool have had

the experience here before, which showed in the early part of the

game. But at the end of the day, it is about converting your chances.

We converted one more than Blackpool, so we are where we

should be. Over the season I don't think anybody could argue. It is

just a great end to what has been a great season. Congratulations to

West Ham, back in the top flight after one season out. Steve, West

Ham, second best for a good part of the contest, but they will not be

dwelling on that for too long tonight. Certainly the first 15

minutes of each half, certainly in the first half, and conceding early

in the second half. After they got to grips with it, the last half-an-

hour of the first half, probably controlled the game. The second

half was very even, could have gone either way. You know all about late

play-off winners, it is all about taking your chance. Yes, we all

realised there would be opportunities in this game, and

that was the case. I don't think we thought it would go right to the

wire like this, he has almost done too much with it. But if you have a

look at it, Baptiste falls down, Crainey falls down. But it was a

great touch. And Vaz Te he has an awful lot to do with it. I was

looking at it from behind the goal, and he only just gets it in, but it

is the winner, and it is a great feeling. What a great signing he

has turned out to be. Managers like to trust what they have known

before. Obviously, Sam Allardyce had him at Bolton. He went to

Barnsley after that. And he went overseas for a while. Yes, but he

has come back to Sam Allardyce and he has paid him back. Let's be

honest, this is absolutely fantastic, the old saying about

putting it on a sixpence, that's exactly what Matt Taylor does here.

He completely takes Evatt out of the game. Was this a foul in the

build up? Well, he gets a little bit of luck. The ball rebounds back

to him, and Carlton Cole, that little bit of pace, keeps the ball,

gets his body between Evatt and the ball, and his touch gives him the

angle to shoot across goal. This is Blackpool's goal, and it was quite

similar. Yes, Carlton Cole scores the goal for West Ham and then

gives the ball away, and then he can only stand and watch as

Phillips picks out a tremendous ball. And then, Ince knows that all

he needs is a connection, it does not have to be a great connection,

it is all about where he directs the ball. He is cool and calm and

he sticks it in the back of the net. If you look at that, Robert Green

gets nowhere near it. Blackpool will be to -- live themselves

considering the amount of chances they had. Especially in the first

half, this was an excellent opportunity. This one, I'm not sure

that Phillips actually believes he can get past the goalkeeper. He

goes past the defender, but it was a poor finish. And this one, this

was probably the best of the lot, he has just got to keep his nerve.

And this one, Baptiste, surely have gone with his head? I don't know,

I'm not sure you can do that. This was the one where everybody sat

back and thought, Stephen Dobbie, a great technician, you would expect

him at least to hit the target and probably to score. That was a

massive surprise for everyone. When you look at it, he had his head in

his hands, he knew it was a great chance for someone with his ability.

For Sam Allardyce, it is very much a job done. But he put pressure on

himself at the start of the season, saying, we are going to go up. He

had very little room for error. and one thing you can say, Sam

Allardyce had a major part to play in this game because his tactical

change in the second half, taking off Gary O'Neil and changing the

formation, putting Vaz Te up front, I thought that was an excellent

move, because at that stage, they were wobbling. They were looking

like they could concede at any moment. But after that it became a

very even contest. We have talk about him playing one up front,

being a little bit negative this season, but he was anything but

that today. He got his rewards for being positive. As for Ian Holloway,

he started the season talking about a Premier League hangover, but he

will have to dust himself down and go again, will it be even harder

this time? I think so. I think the players had a bit of a slow start

this season. But this, for me, will be far harder. This is a massive,

massive disappointment. When you win these games, it is difficult

instantly to celebrate, it is more a sense of relief. But for the

people who have lost, you look back at 48 games, counting for

absolutely nothing, we are back where we started, albeit a great

effort by everybody involved. But it is back where you started. So,

it is a huge disappointment. It is one which, after last year, to pick

themselves up again, he might just have to freshen it up a bit and

move a couple in and out. Commiserations to Blackpool, well

done again for West Ham. It's certainly whets the appetite for

the other play-off finals. Huddersfield against Sheffield

United and Cheltenham against Crewe - How do you see these going?

if they are half as good as today...! Huddersfield and

Sheffield united, two fantastic sides, with massive support. Nobody

can begrudge them getting there. And obviously, Cheltenham have had

a wonderful year, and a late charge for Crewe. They have played the way

we expected, so that is and other fantastic game in prospect. And you

can see highlights of both of those play-off finals next Sunday. That's

almost it from us. Don't forget, you can see tonight's show on the

iPlayer all week. The website will have extended highlights of today's