April 21 2002

West Brom Celebrate

Crystal Palace's disappointing season ended at the Hawthorns, where they lost 2-0 to West Brom, who clinched promotion to the Premiership.

The Palace team did not seem interested and allowed the Baggies to command the game from the off and enjoy the celebrations afterwards.

But Trevor Francis argued otherwise, saying it was always going to be a tough match.

He said: "I knew that would always be a tough contest with so much at stake for West Brom.

"They have done so well in recent weeks and were never going to be in the mood to throw it away this afternoon.

"I always said we would not just be turning up to make up the numbers and our performance showed that my team were always keen to get something from this game.

"The tension out there for West Brom was enormous but all credit to our players who never caved in and were always attacking and making the job very difficult for them right until the final whistle."

Palace had a great start and could have gone in front in the first three minutes. West Brom keeper Russell Hoult had to tip over Danny Granville's 25-yard shot over the bar from David Hopkin's free-kick.

From Simon Rodger's corner, Derek McInnes had to clear away from the goal-line.

It was the Eagles' only real efforts on goal and West Brom controlled the rest of the game before breaking the deadlock in the 15th minute.

A free-kick from Derek McInnes was headed in by the unmarked Darren Moore.

Then in the 58th minute, Bob Taylor tapped home from three yards after Alex Kolinko made a howler and spilled Neil Clement's free-kick.

The Baggies got the points they needed and promotion to the top flight for the first time in 16 years.

Francis added: "As always our support today was magnificent and I would like to thank all those of you who have followed us home and away this campaign.

"It's disappointing I know for some where we have finished, but it must be remembered that a mid-table position is a great credit to everyone at the club."