• LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 27: Jonathan Bond of Watford wears a protective face mask as he warms up prior to during the npower Championship Play-off Final match between Watford and Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium on May 27, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** 169553197.jpg
    LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 27: Jonathan Bond of Watford wears a protective face mask as he warms up prior to during the npower Championship Play-off Final match between Watford and Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium on May 27, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** 169553197.jpg
  • There were signs of nerves in the stands, too, this young Crystal Palace fan clearly not alone. Mike Hewitt / Getty Images
    There were signs of nerves in the stands, too, this young Crystal Palace fan clearly not alone. Mike Hewitt / Getty Images
  • The game was always going to be a little scrappy with players putting their 100 per cent in. Here, the referee Martin Atkinson shows a yellow card to Watford's Joel Ekstrand after a foul. Richard Heathcote / Getty Images
    The game was always going to be a little scrappy with players putting their 100 per cent in. Here, the referee Martin Atkinson shows a yellow card to Watford's Joel Ekstrand after a foul. Richard Heathcote / Getty Images
  • Watford players huddle prior to the game. Theirs was a performance beyond even their expectations throughout the season as the Championship's third-placed team were one game away from returning to the top-flight. Richard Heathcote / Getty Images
    Watford players huddle prior to the game. Theirs was a performance beyond even their expectations throughout the season as the Championship's third-placed team were one game away from returning to the top-flight. Richard Heathcote / Getty Images
  • Wilfried Zaha, the Crystal Palace star, was well marked by Watford players as he was touted as the game-changer. Here, he takes on Marco Cassetti. Richard Heathcote / Getty Images
    Wilfried Zaha, the Crystal Palace star, was well marked by Watford players as he was touted as the game-changer. Here, he takes on Marco Cassetti. Richard Heathcote / Getty Images
  • The Wembley Stadium, in London, was a sea of Watford's yellow in parts, interspersed by the red and blue of Crystal Palace. It was truly a festive atmosphere. Mike Hewitt / Getty Images
    The Wembley Stadium, in London, was a sea of Watford's yellow in parts, interspersed by the red and blue of Crystal Palace. It was truly a festive atmosphere. Mike Hewitt / Getty Images
  • A few words were exchanged as well with Danny Gabbidon, second from left, the Crystal Palace player, having a go at Lloyd Doyley. Richard Heathcote / Getty Images
    A few words were exchanged as well with Danny Gabbidon, second from left, the Crystal Palace player, having a go at Lloyd Doyley. Richard Heathcote / Getty Images
  • The London-based Crystal Palace seemed to be at home on the pitch compared with their relative outsiders. Players such as Joel Ward proved too good for the likes of Daniel Pudil. Richard Heathcote / Getty Images
    The London-based Crystal Palace seemed to be at home on the pitch compared with their relative outsiders. Players such as Joel Ward proved too good for the likes of Daniel Pudil. Richard Heathcote / Getty Images
  • There was a sense of anticipation among Crystal palace fans with one of them even holding a replica of the trophy. Not a goal was scored but the Londoners were in control. Mike Hewitt / Getty Images
    There was a sense of anticipation among Crystal palace fans with one of them even holding a replica of the trophy. Not a goal was scored but the Londoners were in control. Mike Hewitt / Getty Images
  • Crystal Palace supporters kept up the spirit even as the sun was setting on Wembley with the score still 0-0. Richard Heathcote / Getty Images
    Crystal Palace supporters kept up the spirit even as the sun was setting on Wembley with the score still 0-0. Richard Heathcote / Getty Images
  • Zaha, the English striker, continued to press on even with no goal in sight in the dying minutes of the match. Ian Kington / AFP
    Zaha, the English striker, continued to press on even with no goal in sight in the dying minutes of the match. Ian Kington / AFP
  • Crystal Palace supporters deservedly celebrated a fine win and a fifth a record fifth promotion to the English top-flight. Eddie Keogh / Reuters
    Crystal Palace supporters deservedly celebrated a fine win and a fifth a record fifth promotion to the English top-flight. Eddie Keogh / Reuters
  • It did not stop players from either side to go all-out whenever the ball was in play. Toby Melville / Reuters
    It did not stop players from either side to go all-out whenever the ball was in play. Toby Melville / Reuters
  • Managers of both sides, Crystal palace's Ian Holloaway, left, and Gianfranco Zola, of Watford, went about their business on the touchline in typical fashion. Toby Melville / reuters
    Managers of both sides, Crystal palace's Ian Holloaway, left, and Gianfranco Zola, of Watford, went about their business on the touchline in typical fashion. Toby Melville / reuters
  • It was the second time the ecstatic Holloway was guiding a Championship side to the Premier League. The fact that Phillips, a player Holloway always backed despite criticism, scored the winner must have made the victory even sweeter. Toby Melville / Reute??
    It was the second time the ecstatic Holloway was guiding a Championship side to the Premier League. The fact that Phillips, a player Holloway always backed despite criticism, scored the winner must have made the victory even sweeter. Toby Melville / Reute??
  • Manuel Almunia, the former Arsenal goalkeeper who has done a fabulous job for Watford all season, could not stop Phillips' decisive strike. Toby Melville / Reuters
    Manuel Almunia, the former Arsenal goalkeeper who has done a fabulous job for Watford all season, could not stop Phillips' decisive strike. Toby Melville / Reuters
  • And then the strike came, in injury time. Kevin Phillips, who turns 40 in July, scored what was perhaps the most important goal of his lifetime as it turned out to be the winner. Richard Heathcote / Getty Images
    And then the strike came, in injury time. Kevin Phillips, who turns 40 in July, scored what was perhaps the most important goal of his lifetime as it turned out to be the winner. Richard Heathcote / Getty Images

Sport

In Pictures: English Championship play-off

  • English
  • Arabic
United KingdomUNITED KINGDOMSportFootball