Man City seal promotion

Keegan's side were finally promoted on Friday

Manchester City are back in the English Premiership after just one season in Division One.

The club won automatic promotion on Friday night after title rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers were beaten 1-0 by Millwall at the New Den.

A second-half Steve Claridge penalty separated the two sides and ensures top flight football for Kevin Keegan's side for the 2002/3 campaign.

I'm not one for looking back and the only thing that matters is what will Manchester City do next year

Kevin Keegan

Keegan insisted that his first year at Man City had given him more pleasure than his time in charge of either Newcastle United or England.

He said on the club's official website: "We've certainly proved to be one of the two the best teams in this division, and our fans have matched us.

"Promotion and the First Division title will be their reward, and I'm delighted for them."

City were relegated last season following a dismal season under manager Joe Royle.

But club chairman David Bernstein said that his side now possessed Premiership calibre.

He told BBC Radio Five Live: "All in all we have deserved it. We've played great football this season, scored lots of goals and played some great matches in both the league and FA Cup."

We were risking it in a way because, if we hadn't gone up this year or next, we would have been a bit of a problem

Man City chairman David Bernstein

However, he confessed that it had been a season full of risks.

He added: "We thought we had a couple of seasons to do it (get promoted) but we've invested very heavily in our squad.

"We've backed Kevin to the hilt. We were risking it in a way because, if we hadn't gone up this year or next, we would have been a bit of a problem."

Keegan, Bernstein revealed, will have "substantial sums" to spend on players next season.

"Kevin's looking at some high-quality players to add to what is already a very good squad and we want to make an impact in the Premier League," he added.

"We've got great momentum going at this club and we want to keep it going."

Bernstein, though, has asked the fans not to get carried away with their celebration and, as a result, cause any trouble at the remaining matches of the season.

He warned that any misbehaviour could cost the club Division One points and subsequently the Division One title.