Saints march into Premier League (From Wharfedale Observer)
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Saints march into Premier League
2:47pm Saturday 28th April 2012 in National Sport News © Press Association 2013
Southampton
Southampton secured promotion to the Barclays Premier League with a 4-0 win over Coventry City in front of a jubilant sell-out crowd at St Mary's.
After enduring a nervy start in which Coventry created chances, Southampton took control of their fate with two goals in three minutes. Billy Sharp stuck out a toe to turn Adam Lallana's volleyed shot past Joe Murphy in the 16th minute, and moments later Jose Fonte's stooping header found the net to make it 2-0.
When Jos Hooiveld lashed in a third just before the hour mark and Lallana notched a fourth moments later, the party got under way.
That meant West Ham had to settle for third place even as a Carlton Cole brace sank Hull 2-1 at Upton Park. Corry Evans scored a header for Hull with nine minutes to go and Richard Garcia thought he had a late equaliser, but it was ruled out for offside
Cardiff wrapped up the final play-off spot, but made their fans sweat first before beating Crystal Palace 2-1.
They fell behind at Selhurst Park when Wilfried Zaha linked up with Darren Ambrose to score a fine goal on the break after 13 minutes. Cardiff struggled to impose themselves but Peter Whittingham scored a free-kick from a tight angle with his trusty left foot eight minutes into the second half and Don Cowie then volleyed in a second after the hour mark to turn it around.
Middlesbrough had needed Cardiff to drop points and to beat Watford, but got neither as they went down 2-1 at Vicarage Road, where Troy Deeney snatched an 88th-minute winner moments after Marvin Emnes had cancelled out Chris Iwelumo's close-range finish.
Champions Reading fell to a 2-0 defeat at Birmingham, substitute Adam Rooney firing in the opener after 24 minutes and Wade Elliott making sure with a 75th minute penalty after a handball by Jay Tabb.
The win lifts Birmingham into fourth above Blackpool, who were held 2-2 at Millwall.
In the day's dead rubbers, Leicester beat Leeds 2-1, Doncaster lost 3-1 to Ipswich, Portsmouth were beaten 2-0 by Nottingham Forest, Burnley and Bristol City drew 1-1, as did Derby and Peterborough, while the game between Barnsley and Brighton was goalless.
