Blackpool promoted to the Premier League

Cast aside the bombast and talk of waiting fortunes, and the Championship Playoff final remains a match with more meaning and possible glory than most, at least for those involved. This afternoon, Blackpool and Cardiff City went toe to toe at a sun-drenched Wembley Stadium and it was Blackpool who triumphed in the archetypal game of two halves.

Just three minutes in, Cardiff's semi-final hero whipped in a perfect low cross for Michael Chopra, who could only look on as his shot flicked off the corner of the goal frame. But the former Newcastle United frontman was on the scoresheet five minutes later, superbly drilling the opening goal low past Matthew Gilks and into the bottom corner of the net.

Iconic midfielder Charlie Adam had Blackpool level ten minutes later with a wonderful free kick. 25 yards out, the Scot bent a brilliant shot right into the goalkeeper's top left hand corner to ignite what looked like a classic Wembley final. Matters got worse for Cardiff shortly after the equaliser when Jay Bothroyd, limping since the first five minutes, had to be replaced by Kelvin Etuhu.

A long period of Blackpool domination came to nothing as Ian Holloway's side failed to turn possession into chances, and after dragging themselves back into the team Cardiff re-took the lead. They broke at pace and Peter Whittingham brilliantly picked out a sprinting Joe Ledley, who found a breathtaking finish to put his hometown club back in front.

Just minutes later, Blackpool's Gary Taylor-Fletcher's shot thumped against the post and the rebound led to a corner which, in turn, caused absolute chaos. The ensuing scramble included three shots on goal, one reaction save by David Marshall, one goal-line clearance and, crucially, one goalscoring header from the Liverpudlian striker to make it 2-2 towards the end of a remarkable first 45 minutes.

Amazingly there was more to come, and this time it was Blackpool who went in front. Some excellent footwork on the edge of the area from DJ Campbell culminated in an airshot from the semi-final hat-trick scorer, but the ball rolled into the path of Brett Ormerod, who was able to hold his nerve and stab to ball home from six yards to make it 3-0. A minute later, Darcy Blake thought he'd equalised for Cardiff but he was correctly ruled offside and his team ended a blistering first half a goal behind.

Blackpool lost Taylor-Fletcher to injury less than ten minutes into the second period just as Cardiff were beginning to knock on the door. In the 57th minute, Chopra broke free of the Blackpool defence and blasted a shot off the angle of the goal for the second time in the game. On the hour, Ledley looked certain to score his second as he rose above Gilks but could only glance Whittingham's corner wide.

Tension building, the chances began to dry up as the last 20 minutes approached. Blackpool started to look happy to see out the time and Cardiff's play became increasingly desperate as they took control of most of the late attacking play.

Ultimately, the second half would end goalless and Ian Holloway, after the ignominy of relegation with Leicester City had shaped a change in his outlook, saluted his players as they marched into the Premier League.

(Pic via BBC Sport)