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West Bromwich Albion 2 Portsmouth 0. att:27,751. West Brom: T.Kuszczak, M.Albrechtson, T.Gaardsoe, N.Clement, P.Robinson, Z.Gera, R.Wallwork, J.Greening (G.Horsfield 58), K.Richardson, K.Campbell, R.Earnshaw (Kanu 85). Portsmouth: J.Ashdown, L.Primus, A.De Zeeuw, D.Stefanovic, M.Taylor, G.O'Neil, A.Cisse, R.Hughes (G.Skopelitis 45), D.Kamara (A.Rodic 66), R.Fuller, J.Keene (V.Mezague 82). The situation at the bottom of the Premier League going into the final days' fixtures was unusually complicated. To have any chance of surviving bottom placed West Bromwich Albion knew that they had to win and then hope that the three teams above them all slipped up. Albion did have some consolation in having the easiest looking game on paper. Norwich were away at Fulham, Southampton were at home to Manchester United and Crystal Palace were away at Charlton. If the Baggies could escape they would become the first club to avoid relegation from the Premier League who had been bottom of the table at Christmas. Under Bryan Robson the club had done well to give themselves any chance at all. They had collected only ten points in the first half of the season but had collected twenty one from the next eighteen to give themselves some hope. Despite that they had not actually managed a win in their previous six games. Who knew what to expect? Further hope was offered in the shape of their opposition. Portsmouth were the visitors to the Hawthorns. Safely perched just above the drop zone they were ideal opponents in more ways than one. The intense rivalry existing between themselves and south coast neighbours Southampton meant that, among the fans at least, there would be little disappointment at a West Brom win if it meant the Saints went down instead. Indeed there was a surreal atmosphere building up inside the ground as kick off approached. Many Pompey fans had bought Albion colours for the game and they cheered both teams onto the field. The Portsmouth team would prove less accomodating although they did offer up one outstanding early chance. Kieran Richardson, on loan from Manchester United, did well down the left and after combining with Kevin Campbell he squared for the unmarked Rob Earnshaw around the penalty spot. Earnshaw's effort was mishit, however, and bobbled wide of the far post. Thereafter the first half saw Albion's play riddled with nervous errors and Portsmouth looking relaxed and in control. There were sporadic chances for the visitors to go infront as the Baggies toiled. Matt Taylor crossed for Gary O'Neil but his shot went way too high before O'Neil himself sent Ricardo Fuller clean through for the best chance of the half. Fuller had plenty of time to steady himself but could still only manage an ugly poke wide of Kuszczak's post. Then the Albion keeper was forced into action but had little difficulty in collecting James Keene's low twenty yarder. Keene and Fuller were showing themselves to be willing runners up front but a more experienced and composed strikeforce might well have had Albion in serious trouble before half time. As it was hope remained and the home side came the closest yet to breaking the deadlock just before half time when Campbell sent in a fierce drive from close range which Jamie Ashdown did well to parry to safety at his near post. The air of tension remained heavy around the stadium as the half time whistle sounded. Half Time: West Bromwich Albion 0 Portsmouth 0 The news from the other games was mainly encouraging. Norwich, who had started in pole position, were 2-0 down at Fulham and in big trouble. Palace were also losing 1-0 at Charlton while Southampton were drawing 1-1 with Manchester United. This meant the Saints were safe as it stood, but far from secure against a side like United. Anxious thoughts now ran, not to other sides taking it out of Albion's hands, but to the prospect of the Baggies blowing it themselves by failing to win. Albion came out for the second half in a more purposeful mood and their play looked less edgy than before the break. The midfield especially began to function more smoothly. Zoltan Gera and the excellent Richardson were causing problems for Portsmouth while the rejuvenated Ronnine Wallwork provided the platform from which to attack. There were still chances for Portsmouth, however. Diomansky Kamara outjumped Martin Albrechtson at a corner to head inches wide and then O'Neil sent in a free kick which was too close to Kuszczak to cause him any real problems. In response Gera whipped over a dangerous low ball which deflected just beyond the lunging Campbell and allowed Ashdown to gather. With the hour mark approaching and with Jonathan Greening hobbling Bryan Robson decided to make his first change, sending Geoff Horsfield into the fray. Immediately Gera sent another ball into the area which deflected off Stefanovic and fell into the substitutes' path. With commendable composure Horsfield sent a true, low volley skidding underneath Ashdown and into the net. The Hawthorns exploded with joyous relief, even the Portsmouth fans joining in the fun. Moments later joy turned to delirium as news filtered through the stands that Southampton were losing against United. The miracle was on and, at that moment, Albion were safe. Further encouraged Albion pressed on and Ashdown had to be alert to deny Gera on the volley. The tension was now less to do with what was happening on the pitch but with what was happening elsewhere. The Portsmouth challenge looked well and truly spent but events in the other games could still condemn Albion. With twenty minutes to go came an agonising moment. Palace had a penalty at Charlton which would give them the lead and push them back above Albion. Radio's all around the ground were pressed to ears but there was little hope that Andy Johnson, who had been scoring spot kicks all season long for Palace, would miss. Sure enough the groans that followed were enough to betray the fact that the kick had been converted and Albion were again staring relegation in the face. The mood was lightened somewhat shortly afterwards as Albion moved further ahead with a goal of real quality and surely clinched the victory they needed to record. Richardson smuggled himself out of a midfield tangle and surged forward. Horsfield showed a splendid touch in backheeling possession back to Richardson just inside the area and the impish winger launched himself into a full blooded drive which flashed inside Ashdown's left hand post with the keeper helpless. Now hardly any attention was left for the action on the pitch. The important action was taking place at the Valley where all Albion's hopes were pinned on a Charlton equaliser. With ten minutes to go another spontaneous roar greeted the news that Jonathan Fortune had levelled for Charlton and Albion were again on the brink of pulling off the great escape. When the final whistle signalled an Albion victory Charlton and Palace were still playing out five minutes of injury time and there was a dreadfully tense wait before everyone at the Hawthorns was able to indulge in the frenzied celebrations which then followed as confirmation came through that the Baggies were safe. Palace could not get the winner they needed, Southampton had gone down 2-1 against United and Norwich had capitulated to a 6-0 defeat at Fulham. Portsmouth's fans stayed behind to wallow in the news that Southampton were down while the Albion fans swarmed across the pitch "Boing-Boinging" every step of the way. It is hardly surprising that a lot of emotional hyperbole followed such a dramatic afternoon. One of the most recurrent themes was the digs aimed at Albion's previous maanger Gary Megson from his former charges who were happy to reflect about the relegation of Megson's new team, Nottingham Forest, from the Championship as well as on their own survival. Much comment inevitably focussed on the outstanding display given by Kieran Richardson with the local media advising Robson to "sign him up". That was never something that was going to be in Albion's hands, however. Richardson was caught up in the occasion as much as anyone, grinning hugely as he was chaired from the field by ecstatic fans. When interviewed later he declared that he could see no reason why Albion could not push on the following season and challenge for a Champions League place. As for Bryan Robson he simply described it as "the best day of my life." Elsewhere another considered opinion came from Harry Redknapp as he reflected on his future following Southampton's relegation after his defection along the south coast from Portsmouth. "I'd never get a better job than this," he mused. "If I didn't stay here I would finish completely." Really? Full Time: West Bromwich Albion 2 Portsmouth 0
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