Ricardo Vaz Te pounced for a West Ham United winner three minutes from the end of an eventful Championship play/off decider at Wembley.

The Irons led courtesy of a Carlton Cole goal, but Thomas Ince levelled for Ian Holloway's Blackpool.

But just as extra-time seemed likely Vaz Te netted to send Sam Allardyce's charges back into the top flight.

Former Bolton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers boss Allardyce was thrilled that West Ham finally earned promotion.

"I'm totally and utterly delighted with the victory. feel elated to say the very least but also hugely drained because Play-Off finals for managers particularly are one hell of an occasion in terms of wanting your team to go out and win the game of football.

"We have only lost eight games in total (out of 49 league and play-off fixtures) and made sure today, even though not at our best, that we won the game which was the most important thing. We took more chances than Blackpool did and that gives us the right to be back in the Premier League."

"What was going through my mind was Chairman David Sullivan pestering me all year saying we have never won a game in the last-minute throughout the entire season.

"The first time we have won a game in the final five minute was in the 49th game in the Play-Off final- you can't get better than that can you?"

West Ham's first goalscorer Cole was equally delighted to net at Wembley as the Irons sealed their return to the Premier League.

"I'll take a goal and an assist. There was a bit of pressure on me in this league because everyone thought I'd walk it in this league, but it's not been easy - it's been a hard league.

"It's credit to English football because the difference between the top tier and the second tier, there is not a lot in it. We had a hard season but it's all been worth it now. Everybody has worked so hard and we got the job done today.

"I've made one start at Wembley and got one goal. It's a good feeling and hopefully it keeps on coming. This is the top. It's one of the best feelings of my life. To be a part of this is brilliant. I'm nurturing them through and I want to be an example to the young boys and I just need to keep on doing it."

Ian Holloway simply hopes that the next time Blackpool collide with West Ham that it will be in the Premier League rather than the Championship.

“After the play-off heartbreak I'm determined that next time we play West Ham it will be in the Premier League

"Coming away from Wembley on Saturday left me drained, disappointed and in need of a holiday, and at the same time made me absolutely exhilarated at the football my team played.

"I hope other people felt the same way, despite the result. I wonder at times what more I have got to do in my life to prove that I am not a clown, I am not a joker, I am actually pretty good at what I do.

"When I got back into management three years ago, after a season out of work, I was determined to turn over a new leaf and set out with a commitment to how I wanted my teams to play.

"I wanted to entertain, I wanted to be expansive, I wanted to be adventurous. I wanted people to enjoy playing and enjoy watching.

"After the game I’ve never been more committed to that. I’m sure Sam Allardyce is just as convinced about what his team do and how they got the winner, but that’s the great thing about it. We’re both chefs, we serve up different menus. He’s talking about winning, I’m talking about playing football."