West Ham are now just 90 minutes from an immediate return to the Premier League after goals from Kevin Nolan, Ricardo Vaz Te and Nicky Maynard swept aside Cardiff 3-0. Having led 2-0 from the first leg, the Hammers finished the job in style with a 5-0 aggregate success and will now face either Blackpool or Birmingham on May 19th.
Upton Park boss Sam Allardyce said:
"I'm pleased for all the players, the staff and the fans. We've got a massive opportunity over 90 minutes to get back into the golden league, where it all happens.
"Hopefully we can hold it together and give a performance like we did today when we get to Wembley. It's a big pressure for us and whoever we get we will probably be favourites again, but what a fantastic stage to go and play on." "The away game gave us the platform and this performance, to top it, was terrific.