By Tony Leighton
Derby midfielder Stephen Pearson paid off his £750,000 transfer fee from Celtic with the goal that took the Rams into the Premiership via the Play-Off Final dubbed 'the £60 million match.'
The Championship Final, generally acknowledged to be the biggest money earning game in world football, carries with it the prize not only of top flight football but also vast riches for the winning club.
Pearson's 61st minute goal, his first since arriving at Pride Park in January, won a tightly fought contest to give Derby their first Play-Off success at the fourth attempt and prevent West Brom from returning to the Premiership at the first attempt.
But the Baggies gave it their all from the first whistle to the last. They made a lightning start as striker Diomansy Kamara, with less than 40 seconds on the clock, raced through to fire in an 18 yard shot which goalkeeper Stephen Bywater palmed away at full stretch.
Derby had to repel further early attacks but then might have gone ahead themselves in the 10th minute. Steve Howard set up his strike partner Paul Peschisolido, but from 15 yards the former West Brom player shot straight at goalkeeper Dean Kiely.
Three minutes later Albion had loud penalty appeals turned down after midfielder Jason Koumas appeared to have been brought down by right back Tyrone Mears, but TV replays suggested that Mears had made contact with the ball before the man.
Derby County F.C. have been promoted after a 61st minute goal by Stephen Pearson at the new Wembley stadium. The goal secured Derby's £60 million ($30 million) promotion into the English Premier League division over West Brom.

The goal was Pearson's first whilst playing for Derby County.