West Bromwich Albion have sealed promotion back to the Premier League as their 2-2 draw with QPR was enough to see them over the line.
Goals from Grady Diangana and Callum Robinson were enough to get Albion back to the top flight of English football after a two-year exile.
The Baggies’ boss Slaven Bilic was bold in making four changes to the side that lost 2-1 to Huddersfield with Darnell Furlong, Kyle Bartley, Filip Krovinovic and Robinson replacing Conor Townsend, Ahmed Hegazi, Matt Phillips and Charlie Austin.
The Baggies started brightly with Romaine Sawyers forcing Joe Lumley into a smart stop before Matheus Pereira fired over twice.
Rangers, who were mid-table and had nothing to play for, grew into the game and gave Albion a mighty scare by taking the lead in the 34th minute. Manning received the ball from 20 yards out and saw his original effort blocked by a combination of Bartley and Livermore, but it luckily fell back to him and he drilled the ball right into the far corner past a helpless Sam Johnstone.
The Baggies levelled things up though shortly before half time as Diangana drilled the ball through the legs of Lumley after some nice hold up play from Robinson.
Albion then turned the game on its head five minutes into the second half after some magical skill from Diangana got him away from two QPR men before he whipped a low cross into the box that was turned in by Callum Robinson.
The striker should have made it 3-1 after being slipped through by Livermore, but he curled it just wide of the near post and was made to pay when the visitors got back into the game. Barbet’s long ball was caught onto by Eze with O’Shea poorly positioned and he latched onto it to emphatically finish right in the top corner.
Filip Krovinovic then spurned a great chance as his first time effort was palmed away by Lumley from Austin’s pull back.
The draw didn’t matter in the end though as Brentford’s defeat to Barnsley meant a point was enough to seal Premier League football next season for Slaven Bilic’s men.
Here’s how we rated the WBA players in the 2-2 draw:
Sam Johnstone - 6
Had to make a couple of comfortable saves but on the whole wasn’t tested. Could do nothing to prevent the two goals the visitors scored though.
Darnell Furlong - 6
Provided a tidy ball that was headed wide by Robinson in the first half and was accomplished throughout in both defensive and attacking duties.
Semi Ajayi - 6
Looked nervy in the early stages against QPR’s bright attack. Picked himself back up in the second half though and was much more composed.
Kyle Bartley - 8
Was so solid at the back when needed for his recall. Won everything in the air to ensure that Albion didn’t buckle near the end.
Dara O'Shea - 6
Adapted well when started at left back and provided a fizzing ball into Robinson which led to the Diangana equaliser. Was caught napping at the back for Eze’s goal which will be a bit of a disappointment for him.
Jake Livermore - 7
Livermore did his job brilliantly and provided the muscle that was needed in a game to get the Baggies back to the top flight. Put everything into every tackle and won the ball high which was crucial.
Romaine Sawyers - 7
Sawyers drifted into more attacking areas and did well with some neat, well worked passes. Tested Lumley early on with a strike and it was nice to see him show the more attacking side to his game rather the defensive one we have seen all season as he can be dangerous when getting forward more.
Filip Krovinovic - 7
Tested the goalkeeper from range in the first half and kept things ticking over nicely. Should have scored in the second half to put the game to bed but was denied by a smart stop from Lumley.
Grady Diangana - 8
Was superb when Albion needed him most. Provided a brilliantly, composed finish to get the Baggies back in the game before setting up Robinson with some tidy skill and a great delivery into the penalty area.
Matheus Pereira - 5
Wasn’t himself in the game and everything he tried just didn’t come off. Had two wayward efforts in the first half and wasn’t as sharp with his decision making like he has been all season. Set piece deliveries let him down too.
Callum Robinson - 8
His first time playing up front for Albion and I wish he would have played there more often! So lively and added so much energy up top that was needed. Held the ball up nicely throughout the match, particularly laying it off for Diangana’s goal, before tapping home from the West Ham loanee’s teasing cross in the second half. Should have wrapped up the game with a one-on-one miss but his impressive performance helped Albion get over the line.
Charlie Austin - 6 (subbed on 71')
His cut back to Krovinovic was unfortunate not to be fired home by the Croat. Added some more energy up the top end of the pitch towards the final stages.
Chris Brunt - 6 (subbed on 71')
A fine send off for the club legend who has helped this club get back to the top division. Will be missed by everyone associated with the football club as he departs after nearly 13 years at the Baggies.
Kamil Grosicki - 6 (subbed on 81')
Added some pace on the wing to try and get Albion another goal. Fired in a couple of deliveries that were dealt with by the QPR defence.
Conor Townsend - 6 (subbed on 81')
Came on to sure up the backline and did just that when the news broke that Barnsley led Brentford in stoppage time.
Matt Phillips - N/A (subbed on 90')
Came on for the final few minutes to see out the game and clinch promotion.