Financially troubled Portsmouth were relegated from the Premier League on Saturday after West Ham beat Sunderland 1-0.
Portsmouth’s fate was effectively sealed last month when, already bottom of the standings, the Premier League docked the 2008 FA Cup winners nine points for seeking bankruptcy protection — a result of overspending on player transfers and salaries.
Striker Ilan scored in the 51st minute to clinch for West Ham the win that left Portsmouth 17 points from safety with 15 possible to win.
PHOTO: AFP
“The result we got last week [a 2-2 draw at Everton] gave everybody a big boost,” West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola said. “This is much better, but it is still too early to celebrate. We are not there yet. This is not a championship where you can say it is over. Nobody was expecting Burnley to beat Hull City today. We will stay on our toes.”
In Saturday’s only other Premier League match, Burnley moved past Hull in the relegation zone by coming from behind to win 4-1. Both teams remain on 27 points — four behind Wigan and West Ham.
Kevin Kilbane put Hull ahead in the third minute, but Martin Paterson equalized in the 35th, before Graham Alexander scored two penalties and Wade Elliott curled in a fourth goal in stoppage-time.
Burnley’s first away win of their first campaign back in the top flight since 1976 gives manager Brian Laws belief the team can survive with four matches to go.
“We’ll certainly wake a few people up with that result, that’s for sure,” Laws said. “The most satisfying thing for me is that the players have proven they can win away from home. We’ve got to build on that.”
One of the teams taking Portsmouth’s place in the top flight after seven seasons will be West Bromwich Albion, who were promoted on Saturday after beating Doncaster 3-2.
West Brom, like League Championship leaders Newcastle, are returning to the Premier League at their first attempt.
Providing Wolverhampton stays in the Premier League, next season will be the first time since 1983-1984 that west Midlands rivals West Brom, Aston Villa, Birmingham and Wolves will all have been in the top flight.
“It’s a credit to the players who have worked very hard,” West Brom manager Roberto Di Matteo said.
“Their attitude, effort has been the key to this season and we have been promoted with three games left, it’s an amazing achievement,” he said.
“It has been great to work with these players this year and I have enjoyed it very much,” the Italian said.
The Baggies took the lead at the in the 31st minute when Graham Dorrans fired home a free-kick.
Chris Brunt seized on a poor defensive header to double Albion’s advantage in first-half injury-time.
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas got one back for Doncaster in the 47th minute, before Roman Bednar’s 73rd minute strike reestablished West Brom’s two-goal lead.
James Hayter struck for Doncaster in the 85th minute to set up a nervous finale for Albion but the visitors held on.
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