Southampton secured a direct return to the Premier League in supervisor Russell Martin’s first season in cost by beating Leeds United within the Championship play-off closing 2024 courtesy of Adam Armstrong’s first-half aim.
Striker Armstrong discovered house behind Leeds’ defence to latch on to Will Smallbone’s threaded cross and rating his twenty fourth aim of the season within the twenty fourth minute at Wembley Stadium, coolly slotting previous superior goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
Leeds had amassed 90 factors through the common season to complete third behind champions Leicester Metropolis and Ipswich City, however Daniel Farke’s aspect produced just one shot on the right track earlier than a late rally sparked by Dan James arrowing a shot in opposition to the crossbar with six minutes remaining.
Electrical substitute James then made Alex McCarthy paw his fizzing low shot away throughout 9 minutes of added time, however Leeds couldn’t discover a reply as their very own hopes of a return to the highest flight following their relegation in 2022/23 had been dashed.
“Southampton announce their Wembley arrival!” 🚨
Medical from Adam Armstrong! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/OZNRw7Nzft
— Sky Sports activities Soccer (@SkyFootball) Could 26, 2024
Armstrong had come near a second throughout first-half added time, forcing Meslier to cease his angled shot at full stretch after breaking free following a intelligent free-kick routine.
“I don’t know what to say,” the 27-year-old informed Sky Sports activities Soccer. “It’s what we’ve been working for all 12 months; we all know how good the Championship has been.
“What a technique to go up. I noticed the house in behind and I knew if I put it throughout aim it was going to go in, so it was a pleasant one. It means the whole lot.
“The gaffer and his employees got here in in pre-season and put a marker down of what they needed to see, and have a look at this. For this reason we’re footballers: we wish to be concerned within the largest video games. What a technique to win.”
“What a season. I’m misplaced for phrases” 🙌
Adam Armstrong and Kyle Walker-Peters are BUZZING! 🔴 pic.twitter.com/EM7EfVrdmo
— Sky Sports activities Soccer (@SkyFootball) Could 26, 2024
Leeds v Southampton: Farke says United ‘suffered’
Farke congratulated Southampton however stated Leeds had deserved extra. “That’s soccer,” he mirrored. “We had extra possession, extra pictures, extra anticipated objectives.
“We dominated the sport in lots of spells however their defending was slightly bit more practical than us. It’s at all times essential to be good in each bins.
“We began the sport completely on the entrance foot and had many good conditions however within the closing third, we weren’t that dedicated to the assault. At this degree, once you play in a closing, you must be spot on.
“It’s a bit written within the stars – typically it’s not meant to be. It’s a tough day for us. A day of struggling however that’s soccer. You need to get on with it.”
