Blackpool and Birmingham were relegated on a dramatic final day of the Premier League season on Sunday, each letting slip a chance of survival as Wigan scored late to secure the result it needed to stay up. Both Blackpool and Birmingham were on course to stay up for long periods, with lowly Blackpool seemingly on the verge of a remarkable escape when it led 2-1 at Manchester United early in the second half.
But the champions scored three times in 20 minutes to end the Tangerines' single-season stay in the topflight, while Birmingham conceded a last-minute goal at Tottenham to lose 2-1 and fill the final relegation spot.
Blackpool finished in 19th place, six points ahead of already demoted West Ham. Birmingham was ahead of Blackpool only on goal difference, while Wolverhampton Wanderers survived by a single point after losing 3-2 to Blackburn.
Wigan climbed three places and finished three points clear of danger after Hugo Rodallega's 78th-minute goal secured a 1-0 win at Stoke.
"We've been at the bottom all season and on the final day we get this," Wigan owner Dave Whelan said. "You could tell from our fans when they started cheering that Manchester United or Tottenham had scored.
The loss of television revenue means that relegation costs a club about 40 million pounds ($65 million), but Whelan said that was not his main concern.
"It's not the money, I promise you," Whelan said. "It's staying in the Premier League."
05-22-2011, 06:25 PM
