Leeds v Southampton LIVE: Championship play-off final result and reaction as Saints dramatically promoted
Leeds 0-1 Southampton: Adam Armstrong’s first-half goal enough to send the Saints back into the Premier League
Southampton won promotion back to the Premier League after beating Leeds 1-0 in the Championship play-off final at Wembley, earning an immediate return to the top tier following relegation last May.
Adam Armstrong was the Southampton matchwinner as his first-half goal was enough to see off a Leeds side that struggled to muster a meaningful response, with substitute Daniel James coming closest after his shot thundered against the bar late in the second half.
Southampton will join Leicester and Ipswich in the Premier League next season, the latter being promoted after a 22-year absence from the top flight, while the Foxes also returned at the first attempt after relegation last year.
Meanwhile, Leeds, whose ownership group contains major-winning golfers Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, suffered more play-off heartache as they failed to go up via the route for a sixth time. After winning only one of their last six regular-season games to miss out on automatic promotion, questions will also be raised about the future of manager Daniel Farke.
Relive the clash with our blog below:
Leeds 0-1 Southampton
Fair to say Southampton fans enjoyed that goal!
WATCH: Adam Armstrong gives Southampton the lead at Wembley
Here’s Adam Armstrong’s opening goal. Neatly worked and well finished by Armstrong.
Leeds 0-1 Southampton
30 mins: Bad news for Southampton as Brooks goes down clutching his left shoulder. He leaves the field for treatment, so the Saints temporarily down to 10. Hopefully the midfielder is able to continue.
He looks uncomfortable but will try to give it a go as he runs back on.
Leeds 0-1 Southampton
27 mins: A great counter-attacking chance for Leeds as they pick up the Southampton corner and Gray strides forward. It’s a four on two in Leeds’ favour!
But Gray’s pass inside is misplaced under pressure from Downes. What an opportunity squandered.
Leeds 0-1 Southampton
26 mins: Wembley bouncing now with noise from Southampton supporters. That was a hammer blow for Leeds.
The Saints come forward again and Walker-Peters’ cross is blocked behind for a corner by Firpo
GOAL! Leeds 0-1 Southampton (Armstrong 24’)
And it’s Southampton who take the lead, almost out of nothing!
The Leeds defence are caught napping - their defensive line is so disjointed. Ampadu steps forward deal with Smallbone and the Saints midfielder simply slips the ball through to Adam Armstrong in acres of space. Armstrong takes a couple of touches and lashes the ball into the corner past Meslier.
Nice finish and Southampton lead in this play-off final!
Leeds 0-0 Southampton
23 mins: Rutter strides forward and a crescendo of noise builds as he feeds Gray on the overlap down the right. But the 18-year-old’s cross is too deep and out for a goal-kick.
Leeds 0-0 Southampton
20 mins: Summerville tries a reverse pass on the edge of the box to try and free Gnonto but perhaps he should have shot at goal instead, as it was blocked.
Tackles flying in from both sides now! The intensity has been compelling so far.
Leeds 0-0 Southampton
Leeds 0-0 Southampton
16 mins: The Southampton fans are now the louder as ‘When The Saints Go Marching In’ rings round Wembley. Although a decent rendition of ‘Marching On Together’ in response from Leeds supporters.
Gnonto goes down holding his back after a tussle with Stephens but didn’t look like there was much in it.
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