Southampton secured a swift return to the Premier League in manager Russell Martin's first season in charge by beating Leeds United in the 2024 Championship play-off final with Adam Armstrong's first-half goal.
Striker Armstrong found space behind the Leeds defense to latch on to Will Smallbone's pass and score his 24th goal of the season in the 24th minute at Wembley Stadium, curling a fine shot past goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
Leeds collected 90 points in the regular season to finish third behind champions Leicester City and Ipswich Town, but Daniel Farke's side produced just one shot on target before a late rally sparked by Dan James's volley over the crossbar with six minutes remaining.
The electrifying James then parried Alex McCarthy's low shot nine minutes into added time, but Leeds could not find an answer as their hopes of a return to the top flight faded.
“Southampton have announced their arrival at Wembley!” 🚨
A clinic from Adam Armstrong! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/OZNRw7Nzft
– Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 26, 2024
Armstrong came close to a second in extra time in the first half, forcing Meslier to save his curling shot after breaking away from a brilliant free-kick.
“I don't know what to say,” the 27-year-old told Sky Sports Football. “This is what we have been working on all year; we know how good the Championship has been.
“What a way to climb. I saw space at the back and I knew if I put it across the goal it would go in, so it was good. It means everything.
“The gaffer and his staff went in before the season and put a marker on what they wanted to see, and look at this. This is why we are footballers: we want to be involved in the biggest games. What a way to win.”
“It's such a season. I'm speechless” 🙌
Adam Armstrong and Kyle Walker-Peters are FLYING! 🔴 pic.twitter.com/EM7EfVrdmo
– Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 26, 2024
Leeds v Southampton: Farke says United 'suffered'
Farke congratulated Southampton but said Leeds deserved more. “That's football,” he thought. “We had a lot of energy, a lot of shots, and goals that we expected.
“We controlled the game many times but their defense was more successful than ours. It is always important to be good in both boxes.
“We started the game completely in the lead and we had many good situations but in the last third, we were not very determined to attack. At this level, if you play in the final, you have to be there.
“It's a bit written in the stars – sometimes it's not meant to be.” It is a difficult day for us. It's a day of suffering but that's football. You have to get on with it.”
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