14 photos from West Brom’s dramatic final day Great Escape against Portsmouth in 2005

One of the most memorable moments in West Brom’s recent history was the incredible Premier League final day in 2005. The iconic ‘Great Escape’, as it became to be known, produced the most dramatic final day relegation battle we’ve seen in the Premier League era.

Going into the final day of the season, for the first time, no team was assured of relegation. In each of the last three weekends of the season, the team that was bottom of the table at the start of the weekend finished it outside the drop zone.

But Albion were favourites for the drop on the last day of the campaign. The final round of fixtures on 15 May started with the Baggies on the bottom, Southampton and Crystal Palace one point clear and Norwich City in the last safe spot and two points from the bottom. Sky Sports billed the weekend as ‘Survival Sunday’.

Albion - managed by Bryan Robson - had been bottom of the table and eight points from safety at Christmas, did their part by defeating Portsmouth at home 2–0. Norwich, the only side to have their fate completely in their own hands, lost 6–0 at Fulham and went down. Southampton lost 2–1 at home to Manchester United.

Palace, away to Charlton Athletic, were leading 2–1 after 71 minutes, but with eight minutes to go Jonathan Fortune equalised for the Addicks to relegate the Eagles. So, West Brom stayed up, and changed history, becoming the first club in Premiership history to avoid relegation after being bottom of the table at Christmas. It was some achievement for the club, and there were wild celebrations at full-time with the fans running on the pitch to embrace the players.

We’ve decided to take a look back over that dramatic final at the Hawthorns withh 14 great pictures. Enjoy Baggies fans!