Source: Telegraph
Doncaster Rovers 2 West Bromwich Albion 3: match report
Those contrary laws of football gravity peculiar to West Brom Albion stating that what comes down must go back up were evident at the Keepmoat Stadium yesterday. [LNB]Of course the Black Country club, given historical precedent, is likely to abide to the more accepted properties in the game's cosmos by plummeting back down to earth in a year's time but for now their players and fans can bask in a rapid promotion to the Premier League. [LNB]Cardiff City 3 Bristol City 0: match reportSunderland 2 Blackburn Rovers 1: match reportDuring his first season in charge, their manager, Roberto di Matteo, must also take the plaudits, a year after leaving MK Dons and a League One play-off semi final failure to join the relegated Baggies. [LNB]"It's the result of two years of hard work," said Di Matteo, once a Premiership player with Chelsea. "I've never been there as a manager but it's a bit like baby and learning to walk, now we have to learn to run." [LNB]Victory over an enterprising Doncaster Rovers was seldom straightforward but enough to secure an instant return to the higher level as Nottingham Forest's dogged stalking was ended. [LNB]The rise of Scottish midfield player Graham Dorrans has been a feature and his 17th goal of the season, a vicious angled free kick, was symptomatic of his spectacular contribution. [LNB]Poor defending by James Chambers allowed Chris Brunt to add a second, although Jay Emmanuel-Thomas deservedly reduced arrears with a low left foot finish. [LNB]Brunt's left wing delivery teed-up a Roman Bednar volley for 3-1 at the far post yet an unmarked James Hayter headed a late response from close range. [LNB]He might have levelled in a rousing finale, a goal that would have delayed Albion celebrations for another week, which, judging by the neanderthals who ignored police warnings and invaded the pitch at the final whistle, would have been a mercy equaliser. [LNB]Defeat for the home side scuppered any lingering hopes they harboured of a play-off place, although it is worth remembering that when Albion began their first season in the Premiership in 2002, Doncaster were still competing in the Conference. [LNB]Since then, Albion have enjoyed two more Championship promotions only to endure relegation at the first attempt, the 2005 campaign under Bryan Robson's guidance being the exception. [LNB]Emulating that 'Great Escape' will eclipse anything on Di Matteo's CV, impressive as it is already. [LNB]Match details:[LNB]Doncaster Rovers (4-3-3): Sullivan; Chambers (Lockwood 79), Martis, O'Connor, Roberts; Oster, Mutch (Shiels 79), Wilson; Emmanuel-Thomas, Hayter, Heffernan (Fairhurst 79) Substitues: Hird, Smith (g), McDaid. Booked: Martis [LNB]West Bromwich Albion (4-3-3): Carson; Reid, Tamas, Olsson, Cech; Cox (Barnes 64), Mulumbu, Dorrans; Koren, Bednar (Miller 78), Brunt Substitutes: Kiely (g), Meite, Slory, Wood, Barnes, Mattock. Booked: Reid [LNB]Referee: J Linington (Isle of Wight) [LNB]
