Stoke City back in Premier League

Dave Cohen - 4 May 2008 18:39

Richard Cresswell (L) of Stoke City fires a shot past Steven Taylor of Newcastle United in the FA Cup Third Round encounter at the Britannia Stadium on 6 January 2008

Stoke City, after an absence from the top flight since 1985, secured promotion to the English Premier League after a rather dreary 0 – 0 draw against Leicester City at The Britannia Stadium.

The draw in the final matches of the season secured them second spot on the table and automatic promotion.

West Bromwich Albion secured their automatic promotion on Monday when they beat Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.

The draw against Leicester City condemned the Walker Stadium outfit to the next season at least, in League One. They join Scunthorpe United and Colchester United who also drop from the Championship League.

Hull City, Bristol City, Crystal Palace and Watford will have to fight it out in the playoffs for the last vacant place in next season’s Premier League. It could be Hull City’s first season in the top flight since they joined the league 104 years ago.