West Bromich Albion

West Bromich Albion
West Brom 2-0 Portsmouth West Brom defeated Portsmouth to dramatically secure their Premiership status on the final day of the season. Bryan Robson's team were the only side in the bottom four to win and so finish one point clear of the relegation zone. Geoff Horsfield scored with a superb volley just after coming on as a second-half substitute that sent the Hawthorns wild with celebration. Kieran Richardson latched onto a backheel from Horsfield to put the home team two goals ahead and secure safety. But at the time of Richardson's strike celebrations were relatively muted. News had filtered round the Hawthorns that Crystal Palace had taken a 2-1 lead at Charlton through an Andy Johnson penalty. But Jonathan Fortune's 82nd-minute equaliser for the Addicks - and defeats for Norwich and Southampton - ensured West Brom, who started the day in bottom place, will play top-flight football next season. The Baggies' survival is a personal triumph for manager Bryan Robson, who becomes the first boss in Premiership history to steer a team in bottom place at Christmas to safety. It was an afternoon of drama and tension at the Hawthorns, with emotions ebbing and flowing as scores from the other games were received on radios and mobile phones. Roared on by a packed, passionate Hawthorns, West Brom started at a blistering pace and should have scored after just six minutes. Richardson burst down the right-hand side and played Robert Earnshaw through but the Wales international shot wide from 12 yards. But Pompey have improved since Alain Perrin took over and the visitors soon created chances of their own. Gary O'Neil, unmarked at the far post, should have done better with a volley but shot wide, as did Ricardo Fuller after 16 minutes with a strike from 12 yards. Kevin Campbell threatened for the Baggies, stinging Jamie Ashdown's fingers with a shot from an acute angle, while Aliou Cisse drove wide for Pompey from 25 yards. But the half finished goalless, with the situation in the other games at the break meaning a goal would be enough to move West Brom out of the relegation zone. The Baggies emerged for the second-half with the theme tune to The Great Escape booming around the ground. Pompey, though, were the next to threaten, Kamara rising higher than Martin Albrechtsen but heading wide of Tomasz Kuszczak's goal. The Hawthorns erupted when Horsfield beat Ashdown with a volley on the turn just minutes after arriving as a substitute. Dejan Stefanovic could only deflect a Zoltan Gera cross and Horsfield struck at the far post. Richardson doubled the Baggies' lead, collecting Horsfield's backheel and drilling the ball past Ashdown from 10 yards. And a massive roar around the ground shortly afterwards indicated Charlton had made it 2-2 against Palace. The final whistle saw a nervous wait but the news of the other results eventually reached the Hawthorns and the celebrations started. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Brom: Kuszczak, Albrechtsen, Gaardsoe, Robinson, Clement, Gera, Wallwork, Richardson, Greening (Horsfield 58), Earnshaw (Kanu 84), Campbell. Subs Not Used: Moore, Murphy, Inamoto. Goals: Horsfield 58, Richardson 75. Portsmouth: Ashdown, Primus, De Zeeuw, Stefanovic, Taylor, Keene (Mezague 81), Cisse, Hughes (Skopelitis 50), O'Neil, Fuller, Kamara (Rodic 65). Subs Not Used: Chalkias, Duffy. Booked: Fuller. Att: 27,751 Ref: M Riley (W Yorkshire).

Robson hails best ever feeling
West Brom manager Bryan Robson was ecstatic after his team avoided relegation on the final day of the Premiership season. "This is the best ever," said Robson. "It is a fantastic feeling. The boys have done me proud and worked their socks off. They deserve this. "I feel sorry for the other managers. I feel great now but I can understand how the others must feel. "All four of us have battled right until the end of the season." West Brom become the first team in Premiership history to avoid relegation after being bottom of the table at Christmas. "That is in the past now," added Robson. "Full credit to the players because people mention the history all the time and sometimes you can start to believe it but this lot didn't. "I always believed in the players we have. We narrowed the squad down and once we started firing on all cylinders I knew we could do it." Substitute Geoff Horsfield scored the Baggies' opener and Kieran Richardson added the second. And Robson admitted that the atmosphere in the ground gave him an indication of the scores in the other matches involving teams battling the drop - and whether West Brom were in a survival position. "Towards the end of the second half we were 2-0 up and the fans weren't really behind us so we knew Crystal Palace must be winning," he said. "But I had told the lads to concentrate for 90 minutes and Charlton have gone and scored the goal to keep us up." Horsfield scored the opener within seconds of his introduction and said that helping the club survive was the highlight of his career. "Even though I have been promoted with every club I have been at this is the best moment of my career," said Horsfield. "I am delighted for the fans and the gaffer. We have proved all the critics wrong." Defender Neil Clement could not contain his joy. "Staying up means everything, it is absolutely fantastic," said Clement. "We knew we had to win to have a chance and we got the result. "I knew we were good enough to stay up. It's been tough for all four teams at the bottom. "I am over the moon because we have worked so hard since Christmas when Bryan Robson came in as manager." Meanwhile, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was quick to pay tribute to his former captain for keeping the Baggies up. "I thought the form of West Brom made them favourites and I think if they'd scored more they'd have been in a great position," said Ferguson. "He learned from his experiences at Middlesbrough. I thought he did a great job at Boro but he stayed too long. Now he's at a club dear to his heart and he can transform that club."

Campbell says Baggies must build
West Brom captain Kevin Campbell says the club must make sure they are clear of relegation danger well before the final day of next Premiership season. The Baggies stayed in the Premiership by a single point after their 2-0 win over Portsmouth. "The hard work starts now," "We have to build on what we've done. We don't want to be in this position again next year - I don't think my heart will take it!" Campbell, who collected a league title with Arsenal in 1991, said West Brom's incredible survival was the highlight of his 17 years in the game. "This is the greatest achievement of my career," said Campbell. "I know no medals are handed out for staying in the Premiership but success is measured in different ways. "For West Bromwich Albion Football Club, success is staying in the Premiership." Campbell's arrival on a free transfer from Everton during the January transfer window proved to be one of the most significant features of manager Bryan Robson's escape act. Coincidently, after an opening day 4-1 defeat to Arsenal, Campbell admitted he anticipated a difficult season for the Toffees and that he would be prepared to settle for 17th place - West Brom's final position in the table. "If you were to offer me fourth from bottom now, I'd take it," he said back in August. "We have to fight, scrap and pick up points. We know we're in a dog fight, but we're professionals. "It's tough at times to know you're fighting relegation, but we're all in it together." Everton finished the season in fourth place, qualifying for the Champions League.

Ferguson plans Richardson meeting
Sir Alex Ferguson will determine where Kieran Richardson plays his football next season after the FA Cup final. The Manchester United midfielder, 20, enjoyed a productive loan spell with West Brom and has been rewarded with a place in the England squad to tour USA. "I'm delighted how things have worked out for him. I saw his performance in Sunday's game and it is terrific that he has been picked for England. "Hopefully we can sit down next week and map out his future," Ferguson said. Richardson was due to meet Ferguson on Tuesday, but that meeting had to be cancelled. Albion boss Bryan Robson has already expressed a desire to keep Richardson at the Hawthorns for another year as he looks to build on this term's successful survival fight. However, Richardson would prefer an Old Trafford return, provided he felt there would be more first-team opportunities on offer than he has previously enjoyed.

Baggies say Gera's going nowhere
West Brom are determined to hold on to Hungarian midfielder Zoltan Gera, who has been linked with a move elsewhere. Reports have stated Aston Villa and Tottenham as showing interest in the 26-year-old but Baggies chairman Jeremy Peace insists the speculation is false. "The agent quoted in the stories does not act on behalf of Zoltan and as the manager has said on numerous occasions, Zoltan is very happy here," he said. "He's contracted for two years, plus a year's option in the club's favour." Gera scored six goals in 32 appearances to help West Brom secure their Premiership survival after arriving from Ferencvaros in a £1.5m deal last summer. And Peace revealed the club had had no contact from any rivals for the Hungarian national captain. "We are looking to build on the squad we have - not dismantle it," Peace added. "Zoltan is very happy playing Premiership football and that is something we offer at Albion."

Baggies join in chase for Johnson
West Brom have offered £2m plus Robert Earnshaw for Crystal Palace striker Andy Johnson, according to reports. Palace chairman Simon Jordan is understood to have rejected the offer from the Baggies, one of a number of clubs interested in the 24-year-old. Birmingham chairman David Gold admitted on Thursday that his club would like to re-sign Johnson. Johnson has insisted that he will stay with Palace, despite the club being relegated from the Premiership. West Brom narrowly avoided relegation and chairman Jeremy Peace has pledged to strengthen the squad, saying he envisages about five players coming in. Gold admitted that he has yet to talk to manager Steve Bruce about Johnson but said the name would "crop up in conversation like any other top striker". Johnson joined Palace from Birmingham three years ago as part of the deal to sign Clinton Morrison.

Earnshaw upset by transfer talk
Robert Earnshaw will resist any moves to off-load him to a Championship club, the striker's agent told BBC Sport. West Brom have offered Earnshaw, 24, to relegated Crystal Palace as part of a £2m package for striker Andy Johnson. But Mel Eves said: "Robert Earnshaw is a proven Premiership goalscorer. Why on earth would he want to go to play in the Championship again? "He really enjoyed his time at Cardiff City and the only reason he left was to play in the Premiership." Earnshaw was West Brom's leading scorer last season with 14 league and cup games despite starting only 20 games. He was bought by former manager Gary Megson for £3m from in August 2003, but new boss Bryan Robson seems intent on replacing the Wales international. Palace have rejected West Brom's Earnshaw-Johnson swap deal, and Eves says Earnshaw is desperate to prove himself to Robson. "He's happy there, he's just settling in," added Eves. "He's adjusted to life in the Premiership. He's scored goals. His goals to time on the pitch ratio is first class. "As with any player, he wants to start every game and wants to play more than he has done. "But having said that he played a major contribution in West Brom staying up this year."

Wallwork pens new West Brom deal
Ronnie Wallwork has signed a new contract which will keep him at West Brom for another two years. Albion had already exercised an extension option in Wallwork's previous deal which tied the 27-year-old to the West Midlands club until June 2006. But the new terms supersede the midfielder's previous contract and will keep the club's 2004-05 Player of the Year on board until June 2007. Manager Bryan Robson said: "This is fantastic news for the club." "Ronnie's responded really well to everything I've asked of him since I became manager and I'm delighted he's decided to sign his new contract. "What I want him to do now is to continue the form he showed last year." Wallwork joined the Baggies on a free transfer from Manchester United in summer 2002 and has scored one goal in 60 appearances. The player said: "This contract keeps me settled here for another two years and I can't wait for the new season to start. "Staying up last season was unbelievable but Bryan Robson's been great for this club from the moment he arrived. "He's really turned things around and showed what a great manager he is."

West Brom turn down Niemi chance
West Brom have rejected the chance to sign Southampton keeper Antti Niemi. The 33-year-old Finnish international is set to leave St Mary's following the Saints' relegation, but Baggies boss Bryan Robson is looking elsewhere. Niemi's agent Richard Cody said: "I can confirm I spoke to West Brom about Antti, but Bryan has made it clear he wants a younger keeper for his squad. "He may get a younger keeper, but he will not get a better one," he told the Birmingham Express and Star. Celtic have emerged as favourites to sign Niemi, who joined Southampton from Hearts in 2002.

Spurs turn down £4.5m Kanoute bid
Tottenham have turned down a £4.5m bid from West Brom for Fredi Kanoute. The 27-year-old Mali striker has been targeted after scoring nine goals in 41 appearances for Spurs last season. Baggies boss Bryan Robson originally wanted the Spurs forward on a season-long loan but when that was rejected he returned with a firm bid. Kanoute joined Spurs for £3.5m from West Ham in August 2003, having arrived at Upton Park from Lyon in 2000 for a £3.2m transfer fee. A spokesperson for Spurs said: "We can confirm that we have rejected a bid from West Brom for Fredi Kanoute." Kanoute's Spurs career has been less than exceptional but coach Martin Jol sees the player as an integral part of his plans for next season. Jol preferred to play Kanoute alongside either Robbie Keane or Jermain Defoe last season and Spurs seem determined to hang on to the former West Ham striker.

Ogrizovic backs Kirkland revival
Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland is being backed to revive his England ambitions if he agrees a season-long loan move to West Bromwich Albion. Baggies' boss Bryan Robson is keen to land the 24-year-old, and Kirkland's former Coventry mentor Steve Ogrizovic believes he will be a big success. Ogrizovic said: "I've no doubt that he can get right back to the top. "I have no doubt that Chris will play for England and he would be great for West Brom. He has a long career ahead." Kirkland looked destined to have a major role with his country after a £6m move to Anfield three years ago but he has been dogged by injuries. Now the emergence of Scott Carson - signed from Leeds during the January transfer window - has put further pressure on his place on Merseyside and in terms of his England aspirations. And with Jerzy Dudek still at Anfield and Villareal keeper Jose Reina set to arrive this summer, Kirkland's Anfield career looks over. But Ogrizovic is convinced a move to The Hawthorns could provide the catalyst for an upturn in Kirkland's fortunes. He said: "Chris would be a major asset to West Brom next season and I know he would become a real favourite with the fans. "The last few years have hardly been ideal for Chris but he has stayed strong. He has had to ensure the label 'injury prone' but all he needs is a season of first team football to prove to everyone once more just what he is capable of." If Kirkland does move to Albion, he would be reunited with Joe Corrigan who worked with him as a goalkeeping coach at Liverpool.

Baggies want Birmingham's Carter
West Brom have made an offer for Birmingham midfielder Darren Carter. Carter spent three months on loan with Sunderland last season and made a big impact when he returned to Birmingham in December. However, the 21-year-old struggled to gain a first-team place in the latter part of the campaign and boss Steve Bruce has not ruled out selling Carter. Bruce said: "I can confirm we have had an offer from West Brom and now we will see what develops."

Baggies would welcome Batistuta
Bryan Robson has opened the door for Argentinan legend Gabriel Batistuta to team up with West Brom's coaching staff during pre-season training. An agent offered Robson the services of the 36-year-old former Fiorentina and Roma striker as a coach last season. Robson said: "I don't know whether it was truthful or not. "But if Batistuta does genuinely want to come in to look at the way we train and have some input with the strikers, I would certainly look at that." Batistuta retired from playing in March this year after injury cut short a spell in Qatar. In 2001 he scored 20 goals in 28 matches to help Roma win the Serie A title.

Baggies want Kirkland loan deal
West Brom manager Bryan Robson has confirmed that he is interested in taking Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland on a long-term loan deal. "We are interested in signing him for a certain amount of time," Robson told the Liverpool website. "I hope to have him over for training so we can assess his fitness. If all is all right there could be a loan deal. "I am hoping to have talks this week and a deal is something we are definitely looking at." Kirkland began his career in the West Midlands at Coventry before moving to Liverpool for £6m in August 2001 but he has been plagued by injuries in recent years.

Robson is keen to talk to Watson
West Brom boss Bryan Robson is waiting for the opportunity to speak to Everton utility player Steve Watson. Robson has made it clear he is prepared to offer more than the one-year deal Watson has been offered by Everton. Watson, 31, told the Express & Star newspaper: "I haven't given up hope of staying at Everton, but I'm flattered by Albion's interest." The Baggies face competition for Watson from Blackburn, newly-promoted Wigan and Sunderland, and Leeds United. Watson is hoping to hold a further round of talks with Toffees' boss David Moyes, but accepts his future might lie away from Goodison Park. He added: "I hope I can have another talk with David Moyes when I get back. "I don't know what I shall be doing next and I've come away for a couple of days to relax and think about it. "I've thought about nothing else recently but have not made any firm decisions. "I'm aware of Bryan Robson's interest and it's the second time he's tried to sign me dating back to his Middlesbrough days. "Joining Albion is a move that would interest me if I am to leave Everton."

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