West Bromwich Albion stumbled to a 2-2 draw to Queens Park Rangers at The Hawthorns, but Brentford’s shocking 1-2 loss at home to Barnsley means the Nigerian defender will add to the country’s contingent in England’s top-flight next term.
Semi Ajayi will be joining Everton’s Alex Iwobi and Leicester City’s duo of Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho in flying Nigeria’s green-and-white colours in the elite division after a challenging campaign came to a satisfying conclusion on Wednesday night.
Slaven Bilic’s men knew they had to better Brentford’s result at Griffin Park to secure their place in the Premier League next season, and so they did to send Baggies’ fans into total joy.
Manning drew first blood for QPR just past the half-hour mark, but two goals either side of the break from Diangana, and Robinson turned the tie in favour of the home side.
But Super Eagles target Ebere Eze brought the match back to levelled terms to force the Albion to a share of the points.
Eze’s last goal as a ranger? Hope not. COYRs pic.twitter.com/SQ3NKih1CM
— QPR San Diego (@QPR_SanDiego) July 22, 2020
His blinding finish in the minute was Eze’s 14th goal in the Championship this season; the most by a QPR midfielder in a league campaign since Adel Taarabt netted 19 times in the 2010-11 campaign.
Albion searched in vain for a late winner, and it appeared as though QPR would send them into the playoffs.
But a late winner from struggling Barnsley condemned Brentford to a 2-1 home defeat, ensuring that West Brom would be the team to accompany champions Leeds United into the Premier League.
Former Arsenal defender, Ajayi, did not play a single game in the Premier League for the Gunners during his spell in London, but he now stands a good chance to make his mark in the EPL when the Baggies make their long-awaited return next season.