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 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.
The win takes pressure off the club, who are currently £80m in debt.
Vaz Te: "It's a great effort form the lads.
"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.
"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."