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Ricardo Vaz Te was West Ham's hero as his late goal sealed a 2-1 victory over Blackpool in the npower Championship play-off final.

Vaz Te struck with three minutes remaining as the Hammers' first visit to Wembley since 1981 ended with promotion secured to the Barclays Premier League.

Carlton Cole had given Sam Allardyce's team the half-time lead but the Seasiders, promoted via this route two years ago, equalised early in the second half through Thomas Ince.

Vaz Te admitted to feeling "blessed" after his late strike sealed victory.

"It's a great effort form the lads," the striker told Sky Sports 1.

"Its not about the goal, we showed great character. I think we deserved it.

"We're a Premier League side and we deserved to go up.

"It's terrific really. I feel like I have been blessed with a second chance in my career and it's great to be here."

Vaz Te also revealed he intends to approach the Premier League full of confidence.

"It is another step, a big challenge. We must get there with the mentality that we're a Premier League side and not there to fight for relegation," he said.

"West Ham is a great club."

Hammers captain Kevin Nolan believes the side's young players will light up the Premier League next season.

"I'm absolutely delighted," he said.

"It's been special. Jack Collison and those boys are going to bless the Premier League.

"We were favourites from day one. We said we wanted to win the league and go up automatically. This was plan B. Thankfully we did it and I think we deserved it.

"It was a lot of relief more than anything. It's been a tough day today. Blackpool didn't make it easy."

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway was left to rue missed chances after his side fell at the final hurdle.

Stephen Dobbie's shot was kept out by a combination of West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green and the near post before Matt Phillips twice squandered glorious opportunities to put the Seasiders ahead.

"Sometimes in life it goes against you and it did that time but you have to congratulate your opponents," Holloway said.

"I thought my lot gave a great account of themselves today, we created more than enough chances to win the game.

"We lost Fletch (Gary Taylor-Fletcher) as well, he might have fancied sticking one of them away."