Cairney tows Fulham to Premier League promotion

LONDON: Fulham hit the Premier League promotion jackpot as Tom

a 1-0 win over Aston Villa in the Championship playoff final on Saturday (Sunday in Manila). -

worth an estimated £160 million ($213 million) windfall.

Slavisa Jokanovic’s side played the last 20 minutes with 10 men after defender Denis Odoi was sent off for a studs-up lunge on Jack Grealish.

But they defended heroically to end the club’s four-year exile from the Premier League.

“I am so excited for my club, for these supporters. We showed we could follow the style that we followed for the past two years, in this stadium,” Jokanovic said.

“I’d have preferred to do the job with automatic promotion but, to be promoted at this place in front

Fulham’s financial windfall from increased revenue could rise to £280 million if they go on to survive for one season among the elite.

Yet even their American billionaire owner Shadid Khan knows it is the prestige of playing Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool next season that matters far more than the extra cash in his bulging bank account.

It was an unforgettable evening for Fulham, who were making

against West Ham.

And Khan was celebrating from the stands of what could soon be his personal property as he negotiates a deal to buy the iconic stadium from the Football Association.

There was only misery for Villa as they missed out on promotion on the 36th anniversary of the victory over Bayern Munich.

Villa, owned by Chinese businessman Tony Xia, paid the price

with a third successive season outside the Premier League, a stark reality given a reduction in the parachute payments could lead to the sale of their stars.

No manager has won more promotions to the Premier League than the four amassed by Bruce, whose team included former Chelsea captain John Terry.

But although Fulham had an average age of three years younger than Villa, there was no sign of stage fright from Jokanovic’s team.