QPR, You've Been Promoted!

Saturday final was Cup final day in football. Before the Champions League Final in Lisbon, there was the small matter of playing off for the last spot in the 2014/15 Premier League at Wembley Stadium.

After a season where you have to say they've underperformed - they had easily the most talented squad in the whole division, Queens Park Rangers just about got their Premier League status back with a last minute goal by former England striker, Bobby Zamora.

It was a cruel blow, almost unjust for Derby County who for so long in the season had been superior to QPR and were superior to QPR in this game. Derby had plenty of chances to finish off a QPR side that had been reduced to 10 men early in the game - former England keeper, Robert Green was the scourge in the Rams' side as he made save after save from McClaren's young charges.

Redemption for Green who of course was responsible for that shocking blunder against the USA 4 years ago in South Africa.

It may have been undeserved for QPR but goals do win you games and QPR did score when it mattered. Given the finances put into the club, their location in West London and the players they have, they are a club that should be in the Premier League and now with a second lifeline, one hopes they can finally stay in the top flight when it comes - with Harry Redknapp in charge, that's a good chance of happening and that will please Chelsea fans who will still have two West London derbies to look forward despite Fulham's relegation.

For Derby and Steve McClaren, there's potential to improve for next season although as many sides before them have shown, i.e. Leeds, Preston, Cardiff and Watford, it is often quite hard for a side vanquished in the playoffs to come back and win promotion the following season. Derby do have the depth and will end up strengthening in the summer.

Hopefully Derby can finish in the top two given that McClaren and Wembley don't seem to like each other.

Congratulations to Tony Fernandes and the Hoops then!

Guess who's back in the Premier League... oh dear.

For your information, the top flight in Europe will welcome the following clubs next season -

EPL - Leicester City, Burnley, Queens Park Rangers

La Liga - (the Segunda will only finish on 8th June but Deportivo la Coruna and SD Eibar are leading the race for automatic promotion)

Bundesliga - FC Koln, Paderborn

Serie A - (2 games left in Serie B but Palermo are already champions, Empoli are in 2nd place)

Ligue 1 - Metz, Lens, Caen