Southampton secured a right away return to the Premier League in supervisor Russell Martin’s first season in cost by beating Leeds United within the Championship play-off ultimate 2024 courtesy of Adam Armstrong’s first-half aim.
Striker Armstrong discovered area behind Leeds’ defence to latch on to Will Smallbone’s threaded go 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 in the course of the common season to complete third behind champions Leicester Metropolis and Ipswich City, however Daniel Farke’s facet produced just one shot on course 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!” 🚨
Scientific 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 yr; we all know how good the Championship has been.
“What a approach to go up. I noticed the area 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 every thing.
“The gaffer and his employees got here in in pre-season and put a marker down of what they wished to see, and have a look at this. For this reason we’re footballers: we need to be concerned within the largest video games. What a approach 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 mentioned Leeds had deserved extra. “That’s soccer,” he mirrored. “We had extra possession, extra photographs, extra anticipated targets.
“We dominated the sport in lots of spells however their defending was a little bit bit more practical than us. It’s at all times essential to be good in each packing containers.
“We began the sport completely on the entrance foot and had many good conditions however within the ultimate third, we weren’t that dedicated to the assault. At this stage, whenever you play in a ultimate, you need to be spot on.
“It’s a bit written within the stars – typically it’s not meant to be. It’s a troublesome day for us. A day of struggling however that’s soccer. It’s a must to get on with it.”