Derby return to Premiership
Billy Davies will lead Derby in the Premiership next season
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Monday, 28, May 2007 11:01
Derby County will be back in the Premiership next season after earning a 1-0 win against West Bromwich Albion in the Championship play-off final.
The Baggies dominated, particularly in the second half at the new Wembley Stadium on a rainy Bank Holiday in north London, but a goal from Stephen Pearson broke West Brom's hearts.
The breakthrough came just after the hour-mark and against the run of play, but Derby fans will care little as their side returns to the top flight for the first time in five years.
It also marks a personal success story for Rams boss Billy Davies, who takes the east Midlands side into the Premiership at the first time of asking after joining from Preston - who were themselves twice losers in previous play-offs.
Derby started today's game nervously and West Brom - marshalled well by the in-form Jason Koumas in the middle - looked the more dangerous side.
But former West Ham keeper Stephen Bywater kept things tight at the Derby end and made an important save from Diomansy Kamara early on, with Kevin Phillips and Koumas also narrowly off target in the opening period.
West Brom were again carving out the best chances in the second half. Bywater was required to pull off a smart save from Koumas and was pleased to see Kamara's free-kick fly over.
Davies looked to change things around after 59 minutes and withdrew 36-year-old veteran Paul Peschisolido for Giles Barnes.
And the 18-year-old made an immediate impact, getting on the end of a Steve Howard ball on the right flank to slot in a cross for Pearson to score his first goal for the Rams from just yards out on 61 minutes.
West Brom threw everything at Derby in the search for an equaliser that would have sent the game into extra-time but their efforts were to no avail, despite the introduction of Darren Carter and Nathan Ellington.
Derby now join Birmingham City and Sunderland as the promoted sides in the Premiership, while West Brom will need to prepare for a second season in the Championship after being relegated last summer.