Feature

Albion's recent memorable moments on final days

Albion players celebrate scoring against Man Utd in 2013

Albion head to Swansea City on bank holiday Monday knowing only a win will give them a chance of qualifying for the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs. 

Carlos Corberán's side are also in need of results elsewhere going in their favour if they're to have a shot at promotion to the Premier League. 

West Bromwich Albion have had their fair share of final-day drama over the years, including promotions, survival escapes and Play-Off confirmations.

Here are some of the best from the last 30 years...

Zoltan Gera celebrates with the Championship trophy on the final day of the 2007/08 season

Albion 2-2 QPR

Championship, July 22 2020

The Baggies knew a win on the final night of the season at home to mid-table QPR would secure a return to the Premier League, with Brentford and Fulham waiting in the wings to sneak in should Slaven Bilic's side slip up. 

Ryan Manning put the visitors ahead, but the Baggies turned things around with two goals either side of the break from Grady Diangana and then Callum Robinson.

Eberechi Eze's stunning strike earned Rangers a point, but, thankfully, Brentford lost 2-1 at home to Barnsley - a result which kept the Tykes in the Championship - while Fulham could only draw at Wigan.

Albion 5-5 Manchester United

Premier League, May 19 2013

West Bromwich Albion and Manchester United played out one of the Premier League's most iconic games on the last day of the 2012/13 campaign. 

It was an afternoon which had absolutely everything. Sir Alex Ferguson was taking charge of his 1,500th and final match as United boss, ten goals were scored, the Baggies battled back from 5-2 down to earn a point and Romelu Lukaku fired in a Hawthorns hat-trick.

United raced into a 3-0 lead thanks to Shinji Kagawa, Jonas Olsson's own goal and Alexander Buttner, but Albion clawed two goals back courtesy of James Morrison and Lukaku. 

The Red Devil's then restored their three-goal advantage with further strikes from Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez, however, the Albion were on hand to spoil the party. 

Belgian forward Lukaku scored his second before Youssouf Mulumbu made it 5-4, and with less than five minutes left on the clock, Lukaku bagged his hat-trick to complete an incredible comeback on an incredible afternoon in the top flight. 

Newcastle United 3-3 Albion

Premier League, May 22 2011

The legendary Tchoyi Story 3 day! Albion went to Newcastle United on the final day of the 2010/11 campaign with little on the game other than pride. 

The Baggies had enjoyed an impressive first season back in the top flight and were taking on a Newcastle team also in the middle of the pack going into the 38th match. 

But it was the hosts who dominated the opening 47 minutes of the encounter and led 3-0 thanks to efforts from Steven Taylor and Peter Lovenkrands, as well as Jonas Olsson own goal. Somen Tchoyi, who had already scored earlier on the term against the Magpies, took exception to proceedings and decided to take things into his own hands. 

Incredibly, the winger scored three times in 28 second-half minutes, including a 90th-minute equaliser, to send Roy Hodgson's men home with a point - one which helped secure an 11th-placed finish. 

QPR 0-2 Albion

Championship, May 4 2008

The Baggies wrapped up the Championship title and promotion to the Premier League on the final day of the 2007/08 campaign with a 2-0 win at QPR. 

The Baggies were all but up at kick-off and went into the clash knowing only a hugely unlikely combination of results would deny them a place in the top flight. 

Rangers captain Martin Rowlands was dismissed in the first 45 for a bad tackle of Jonathan Greening and Tony Mowbray's side took full advantage. Kim Do-Heon headed the visitors in front shortly after the interval and Chris Brunt curled home a spectacular free-kick to put the icing on the cake.

Albion 7-0 Barnsley 

Championship, May 6 2007

Albion set up a Play-Off semi-final showdown with local rivals Wolves by battering Barnsley on the final day in 2006/07.

The Baggies, who knew they needed three points to be certain of a top-six spot, ran riot at The Hawthorns, scoring seven times without reply. 

Superstar striker Kevin Phillips netted a treble and fellow forward Nathan Ellington bagged himself a brace. Midfield duo Robert Koren and Zoltan Gera were also on target on what was a wonderful afternoon at the Shrine. 

Albion 2-0 Portsmouth 

Premier League, May 15 2005

One of the most famous moments in Premier League history. West Bromwich Albion, bottom of the table before kick-off on the final day and bottom of the table, eight points adrift of safety, at Christmas. They couldn't, could they? 

Bryan Robson's Baggies needed a win against Portsmouth and were hoping Southampton, Norwich City and Crystal Palace all failed to record a victory in their own matches.

Norwich City, the only one of the bottom four to have fate in their own hands were battered 6-0 at Fulham. The Saints suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to Manchester United and Crystal Palace could only draw 2-2 at Charlton Athletic. 

That meant three points against Pompey would be enough to secure survival, and the Baggies delivered just that. Geoff Horsfield opened the scoring in the 58th minute and Kieran Richardson added a crucial second 15 minutes from the end. Scenes of jubilation followed, and one or two beers. 

Albion 2-0 Crystal Palace

Division One, April 21 2002

West Bromwich Albion's class of 2001/02 sealed a return to the top flight of English football for the first time in 16 years with a comfortable 2-0 home win over the Eagles. 

The Baggies, who knew rivals Wolves were waiting to pip them to second should they slip up, dominated throughout and scored after just 17 minutes through big Darren Moore. 

Super Bob poked in a second after the break and the Albion never looked back as they waved goodbye to the second tier and hello to the Premier League for the first time.

Albion 2-0 Charlton Athletic 

Division One, May 7 2000

The Albion hosted already-crowned Division One champions Charlton Athletic on the final day of the 1999/00 season, needing to match Walsall's result at Ipswich to stay in the second tier.

Nerves were starting to build with 25 minutes left on the clock, but those nerves were settled when Richard Sneekes slotted the ball into the bottom corner to give the hosts a welcome advantage. 

Super Bob then went and doubled the Baggies' lead five minutes later, a goal which would kill the game off and secure survival. 

Walsall were beaten 2-0 by Ipswich, but Albion had taken care of their own business and were set for second-tier action once again in 2000/01.

Portsmouth 0-1 Albion 

Division One, May 8 1994

Lee Ashcroft was the hero at Fratton Park in 1994 as the Baggies retained their second-tier status in dramatic circumstances. 

Ashcroft headed home Ian Hamilton's left-wing cross six minutes before the end of the first half to save Albion's skin and send local rivals Birmingham City down. 

The Baggies needed to match Blues' result at Tranmere Rovers to have any chance, and Oxford United needed both the Albion and Birmingham to lose to stand any chance. 

Blues did manage to win their encounter at Prenton Park, but Albion's superior goal difference made the difference. 

Thousands of Baggies had made the journey south, and thousands celebrated on the Fratton Park pitch at full-time.