Ricardo Vaz Te’s 87th minute winner fired West Ham United back to the Premier League after a gripping 2-1 win over Blackpool at Wembley this afternoon.

Blackpool could have been 3-0 up in the first 15 minutes but ultimately paid the price for their missed opportunites as the Hammers held their nerve when it mattered to snatch glory in the play-off final.

The Irons took the lead ten minutes before half-time after a terrific move which resulted in Carlton Cole finding the net. But the Tangerines levelled at the start of the second half when the excellent Tom Ince netted.

It looked as if the match was heading for extra time but Vaz Te’s dramatic late winner broke Blackpool hearts and ensured Sam Allardyce’s side returned to the top flight.

The Hammers named an unchanged side from the team which comprehensively defeated Cardiff in the semi-finals. Jack Collison recovered from his shoulder problem to start at Wembley.

Blackpool were forced into making one change with Gary Taylor-Fletcher ruled out with an ankle injury. Veteran striker Kevin Phillips was the beneficiary as he was brought in to lead the attack.

The Irons had a huge scare after just three minutes when Stephen Dobbie latched onto a loose chest pass back from Matt Taylor to Robert Green and the keeper was forced into a sharp save which turned the ball onto the post.

The Hammers were cut open again after 14 minutes when Matt Phillips was put through on goal by Ince but his tame effort was easily saved by Green.

Blackpool had another golden opportunity to take the lead when Guy Demel made a mistake and allowed Matt Phillips to race clear but his strike floated just past the far post.

West Ham finally created a chance after 20 minutes when the ball was laid off to Vaz Te but the former Bolton attacker drilled his shot the wrong side of the post.

The first half hour definitely belonged to Blackpool but it was possible their three great chances which were spurned could come back to haunt them.

The Hammers were beginning to come into the contest but were still looking to test goalkeeper Matt Gilks for the first time.

But the Irons grabbed the crucial opener after 35 minutes when Taylor floated a superb ball over the top for Cole and the striker controlled it perfectly before firing past Gilks.

It was against the run of play but the Hammers could not care less as they took a significant step towards returning to the top flight.

West Ham nearly doubled their lead from the restart when Vaz Te fired an effort which was just inches past the post.

Ian Holloway’s side grabbed an equaliser three minutes into the second half when Matt Phillips’ long ball released Ince and his half-volley found the bottom corner of Green’s net.

Blackpool came so close to taking the lead seconds later when Alex Baptiste’s effort was cleared off the line by Taylor.

The Hammers made a couple of changes, following their poor start to the second half, with Julien Faubert and George McCartney replacing Demel and Gary O’Neil.

Cole almost doubled his tally for the game after a super turn and shot but Gilks was equal to it with an excellent low save.

West Ham were fortunate to survive again when a dangerous cross was put into their area but Dobbie completely miscued his strike which bobbled wide of the target.

With just ten minutes remaining the Hammers struck the woodwork after Kevin Nolan’s stunning volley was brilliantly tipped onto the crossbar by Gilks.

The Hammers dramatically regained the lead with just three minutes of normal time remaining. Cole’s effort bounced off Gilks and to Vaz Te just yards out who smashed the ball into the roof of the net to send the West Ham fans into ecstasy.

Blackpool were given four minutes of injury time to find a goal to take the final into extra time. But they could not create another chance and the final whistle blew to send the Hammers back to the Premier League at the first attempt.

West Ham: Green; Demel (Faubert, 57), Tomkins, Reid, Taylor; Nolan, Collison, Noble, O’Neil (McCartney, 53); Vaz Te, Cole

Blackpool: Gilks, Eardley, Baptiste, Evatt, Crainey; Ferguson, Dobbie (Bednar, 90), Martinez (Dicko, 90); Ince, K Phillips (Sylvestre, 71), M Phillips

Referee: Howard Webb

Attendance: 78,523