Mogga steers Baggies to top flight

By Derek Davis

TONY Mowbray last night took West Bromwich Albion into the Premier League with a home draw against relegation -threatened Southampton.

The former Ipswich Town captain, coach and caretaker-manager, along with his number two, ex-Town defender Mark Venus, guided his side to the top of the table and with one game to go the Baggies' superior goal difference mean that Hull City need beat Ipswich on Sunday and overcome a 13-goal difference.

West Brom will look to clinch the Championship title at home to QPR, while Hull need to beat Ipswich and see Stoke lose at home to relegated threatened Leicester City, to go up automatically.

Stoke could steal the title if they beat the Foxes and West Brom slip up.

Adam Lallana gave Southampton a 77th minute lead before Chris Brunt equalised seven minutes later, with a left foot shot that went through Richard Wright's legs.

Former Blues keeper Wright, on loan from West Ham, made some vital saves for the Saints as they battle to survive and face Sheffield United at St Mary's who also have an outside chance of making the play-offs.

Last night's result doesn't change anything for Ipswich's point of view. They know they still have to beat Hull City in the 2pm kick off on Sunday and hope that Watford fail to get a point at Blackpool.

They also need Crystal Palace to do no better than draw at home with Burnley and that Wolves don't beat Plymouth at Molineux.

Town's superior goal-difference would see them finish above the Hornets and they could even snatch fifth place if everything ran right for them.

Bristol City are safely in the top six but will look to beat Preston to ensure finishing fourth.

If Town did squeeze into the top six they would be at home in the first leg of the play-off semi-final with the matches due to be played over the weekend of May 10-11, with second leg away the following Tuesday or Wednesday, with the Football League still to decide kick off dates and times with broadcasters.

derek.davis@eadt.co.uk