Albion's day for superheroes

When throwing a party it's always important to have something to celebrate, writes Steve Madeley.

QPR 0 West Brom 2

Albion celebrate while Wolves miss out

QPR really didn't think things through yesterday. Thankfully Albion were on hand to ensure that the fireworks, flame-throwers and ticker-tape didn't go to waste.

Baggies supporters arrived in London ready to enjoy themselves whatever happened on the pitch in their final match of the season at Loftus Road.

But every member of the colourful throng that descended on Shepherds Bush wanted to see history made. It was, and the beer tasted all the better for it.

Superman and Batman were not even sketches the last time Albion won the Football League.

Yesterday the Man of Steel and the Caped Crusader were on hand to lead a multi-coloured "boing" that also featured a bearded Wonderwoman, a drunk Dangermouse and several Incredibles with Black Country accents.

It was always likely to be a memorable day as a wonderfully unpredictable season drew to a sunny close.

But victory made it extra-special as the stars in stripes secured superhero status for keeps in the minds of the thousands who have shared their frustrations but revelled in their deeds.

According to QPR the day was to usher in a "new era" for the Hoops and stars from the past were on hand to get the party going. But Stan Bowles didn't have a cape or a mask, the new club crest barely raised any interest and from the moment technical issues turned Flavio Briatore into Norman Collier the new dawn looked a little cloudy and the day was all about the Baggies.

It was far from plain sailing for Tony Mowbray's side as a lacklustre first-half left the finale of a brilliant campaign feeling at times like a testimonial.

But the side regarded all season as the finest outside the Premier League still unlocked enough of their potential to prove the tag is well deserved.

A red card for the home side put them at a disadvantage, a spot of clinical team cohesion saw Kim Do-Heon break the deadlock after half-time before a moment of individual brilliance by man-of-the-moment Chris Brunt confirmed history was to be made.

For a while at the start of the game a hangover from Monday's promotion party threatened to hamper Albion and they were under some pressure early on.

Robert Koren's intended interception went astray and ran through to Dexter Blackstock, who was forced wide by Leon Barnett and fired wide.

Then Gavin Mahon beat Koren to a header to release the excellent Gareth Ainsworth, who skinned Brunt down the right and crossed to the far post.

His cross was headed goalwards by Blackstock but Dean Kiely held it on the line.

A smart Albion passing move involving Kevin Phillips and Brunt ended with Koren chipping a pass to Roman Bednar who sent a dipping shot just over the crossbar.

And when QPR passed the ball neatly around Paul Robinson and Neil Clement and found Ainsworth, Kiely was grateful to see the winger's shot flying straight at him.

Jonathan Greening aimed a searching ball from just inside the QPR half towards Phillips and Zoltan Gera but Phillips' intended lob looped well over the crossbar.

But when Barnett was penalised for a foul five yards outside the Albion box Rowlands curled his right-footed free-kick just wide of the target. Robinson picked out Brunt with an excellent raking ball from left to right and Brunt's left-footed half-volley drew a smart save from Camp.

And Gera sent a long-range shot over the bar after good work by Phillips, then he tried an ambitious lob from 30 yards and put it wide. Then, eight minutes before half-time, came arguably the most crucial moment of the match.

Martin Rowlands caught Greening on the shin with a high, late tackle and was shown a straight red card as the Albion captain writhed on the ground.

The dismissal demoralised the home team and appeared to focus Albion minds.

Early in the second half Robinson challenged Ainsworth on the edge of the Albion box and the rebound broke to Blackstock but his shot went wide.

But the Baggies were looking sharper with Kim adding some extra purpose as a half-time arrival and he opened the scoring around the hour mark.

Phillips tried to find Kim and the rebound off a defender broke to Gera. He got the better of Delaney and crossed to the near post where Kim was there to nod home. The scale of the celebrations was a reminder of just how much the title meant to fans.

A cross by Kim found its way beyond the far post to Brunt but his attempted half-volley with his weaker right foot went horribly awry.

And Another incisive crossfield move by Albion ended with the ball at the feet of Brunt. He drove into the box and rattled the crossbar with a stinging left-footed shot.

The rebound fell to Kim and he made an excellent connection with a right-footed volley but it was parried by the keeper.

With 15 minutes left Gera picked up possession 25 yards out and hit a left-footed shot on the turn that flashed just wide, but two minutes later the match and top spot were sewn up.

Delaney was penalised for a foul on Carl Hoefkens just outside the box and Brunt stepped up to whip a wonderful left-footed free-kick into the top corner.

In the closing moments Luke Moore chased a lofted through-ball into the box but fired his shot over but it didn't matter. It was time for another party and several reminders that joy can overcome even the most sensible souls.

The tea-total Mowbray left the field doused in champagne, several dodgy dances got a first public airing and the normally reserved Robert Koren attacked his team mates with a giant plastic banana.

When they watch the video they might feel a touch embarrassed. But they shouldn't. They should just remember the scale of their achievement and the level of enjoyment they have provided.

Billionaires bowed down and Superman saluted something truly special.