Albion 2, Wigan 1

Good things come to those that wait.

After 33 years, 11 months and ten days, Albion are back in the top flight of English football.

Spearheaded by a marksman born a few months after they relinquished their lofty league status in the same season they reached the FA Cup final.

Glenn Murray's 22nd goal of a remarkable return to the club, 19 of them at the Amex, threw open the door to the Premier League.

Solly March, just a baby when the Seagulls so nearly dropped out of the Football League two decades ago, sealed the march into history with three matches to spare and, in all probability, silverware too.

More of a glorious sprint, in fact, since defeat at Leeds before the international break left outsiders, unaware of the spirit and quality of the squad steered so expertly by Chris Hughton, suspected they were about to crack under the strain and burden of expectation.

Not a bit of it. Following that setback at Elland Road a month ago Albion have reeled off five wins in a row, scoring ten goals and conceding only three.

Far from buckling under the pressure, they have thrived on it.

Over that period it is Newcastle under Rafa Benitez who have succumbed. A draw and two defeats has created a seven-point cushion at the top.

One win from Albion's remaining three matches and they will go up as champions.

At Norwich on Friday evening, the club that abandoned Hughton in a fit of panic three years ago, would be an appropriate place to be crowned.

Assuming that is the players can quickly regain focus following the euphoric scenes and outpouring of emotions which greeted this latest victory. But who would dare doubt them?

It subsequently became sufficient to officially put that precious 'p' next to their name as Huddersfield, who have also faltered, conceded a late equaliser at Derby.

The result at Pride Park was a bonus. Albion's enormous goal difference advantage had already entitled players, supporters and owner-chairman Tony Bloom to go berserk.

Eleven months ago, a wafer-thin margin of two goals sneaked Middlesbrough up in second at Albion's expense and left Bloom picking his own and players' chins off the floor with a dressing room rallying cry after the injury-ravaged exit from the play-offs at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday.

The response from Bloom in rejecting big offers from key players, the recruitment team led by Paul Winstanley in helping identify others who would strengthen the squad and, most of all, Hughton in pulling all the elements together, has been nothing short of sensational.

The Argus: The most significant signing of them all has been Murray (above left). Gus Poyet let him leave, on a free transfer to arch-rivals Crystal Palace, after his goals led Albion to the League One title in their final season at Withdean in 2010-11.

Bloom has made sure the same mistake will not be repeated. Murray's loan return from Bournemouth was made permanent in January and he has carried on scoring, five times in seven outings since March when the heat has really been on.

He won't mind me saying that the latest, which broke well-organised Wigan's resistance in the 37th minute, was longish range by his standards, about 15 yards.

Lewis Dunk's long ball should have been dealt with by Dan Burn. Wigan's giant central defender made a mess of it and Tomer Hemed set up Murray to drill Albion into customary supremacy at the Amex.

The manner of victory resembled several of the 27 they have amassed. They were not at their best but have a wonderful knack of getting the job done, based on a backbone of resilience and sprinkling of stardust throughout the squad.

The latter quality was emphasised by the manner of the second goal in the 65th minute. Anthony Knockaert, inevitably, was the architect.

The Frenchman, who has dazzled with his 15 goals and an ever-mounting number of assists, tricked his way past a combination of Jake Buxton and David Perkins before feeding March (below far right).

The Argus: The England under-21 winger, who shrugged aside the heel injury he sustained at Wolves on Friday, shifted the ball from left foot to right to drive a shot through Jakob Haugaard.

The handling of the Danish keeper on loan from Stoke was so shaky throughout that he must have been wearing Teflon gloves.

Albion should have been out of sight, a narrow but correct offside call by an assistant denying Knockaert another goal.

It was not quite the saunter across the finishing line that it ought to have been. Nick Powell came off the bench to nod in his fifth goal in three games for Wigan with five minutes left.

There was one last moment of anxiety as Albion got themselves in a muddle and almost let Powell in again.

Then bedlam. Supporters invaded the pitch, Bloom went potty in the directors' box as he was handed a blue and white scarf, the players likewise in the press box.

Many fans were still on the pitch in front of the tunnel shortly before 7pm when the final whistle blew in the East Midlands to rubber-stamp promotion.

The game was effectively up for Huddersfield, Newcastle and the rest two hours earlier. Albion have been too good for all of them.