Mo Diame goal fires Hull City back into the Premier League
Hull City edged out Sheffield Wednesday in an edgy all Yorkshire Championship playoff final in front of over 70,000 fans thanks to Mo Diame's spectacular winner 20 minutes from time. In what's been described as the richest game in world football, it was the Tigers who bagged the £200 million prize and will play Premier League football next season.
For Hull, this was their fourth visit to Wembley in the last eight years, for Wednesday it was their first for 23 years. Not since the glory days of Chris Waddle and David Hirst, when the Owls played at the national stadium four times in the matter of weeks, have Wednesday graced the famous Wembley turf.
Hull started the stronger of the two sides and it was the Tigers who threatened first - former England midfielder Tom Huddlestone firing straight at Wednesday keeper Westwood after just four minutes.
But roared on by around 40,000 fans, the Owls soon had their first effort on goal. Fernando Forestieri's free kick from an acute angle punched over the bar by Hull keeper Eldin Jakupovic.
Set piece specialist Ross Wallace was next to threaten. Jakupovic once again opting to punch his 25 yards free kick to safety.
Chances were few and far between in the opening exchanges but on 28 minutes Huddlestone saw his header from a Robert Snodgrass corner cleared off the line by Keiran Lee.
Hull dangerman and top scorer Abel Hernandez was a virtual bystander in the opening half an hour but should really have given the Tigers the lead. Racing onto a deflected through ball from Mo Diame the Uruguayan had only Westwood to beat, but the Irish keeper stood up to the test diverting the ball over the goal.
Hull were starting to take control and Diame came within a post width of giving them the lead. The burly midfielder waltzed through the Wednesday defence but his shot struck the wrong side of the post and went out for a goal kick.
Westwood was soon called upon once again to keep the score goalless. Moses Odubajo's effort blocked by the outrushing Wednesday keeper.
The last action of the half saw Glenn Loovens' header from a corner saved easily by Jakupovic.
The second period started much the same way as the first ended. Michael Dawson's shot from a tight angle once again beaten away by Westwood.
As the hour mark approached it was full back Andy Robertson who was guilty of missing the best chance of the match up to that point. A quick break saw Diame race clear down the right and his cross was met by the marauding Scot who blazed over the bar with only the keeper to beat.
The breakthrough came with the run of play and it was Diame who fired Hull into the lead with a wonderful strike from 25 yards. The Senegalese midfielder finding space, as he had all afternoon, and on this occasion Westwood was powerless to prevent the ball flying into the back of the net.
Wednesday threw on big striker Atdhe Nuhiu in an attempt find parity but to no avail. The goal seemed to have knocked the stuffing out of the Owls, who barely registered an effort on goal in the final 20 minutes.
It finished 1-0. A valiant effort from the Owls, cheered on magnificently by around 40,000 fans. But it's Hull who'll enjoy Premier League football next season and the riches that go with it.