Southampton defeated Leeds in the Championship play-off final, securing an immediate return to the Premier League and the accompanying £140 million windfall.
The Saints, whose 11-year run in the top flight ended after a dismal season, finished one place and three points behind Leeds in fourth. However, it is Southampton who will join Leicester and Ipswich in the Premier League next season.
Adam Armstrong scored the decisive goal with a clinical finish after being set up by Will Smallbone. Leeds substitute Dan James struck the crossbar late on as they pressed for an equalizer, but Russell Martin’s men held firm through nearly 12 minutes of added time.
Leeds’ defeat means another season in the Championship for them and extends their unfortunate record at Wembley, having now lost their past three finals there without scoring and being unsuccessful in all six of their play-off campaigns.
Southampton’s promotion capped a unique play-off season where all three finals were won by the team that finished lower in the league table, with the higher-placed team failing to score in any of the matches.
Both teams entered the final following comprehensive second-leg semi-final victories, with Leeds beating Norwich 4-0 and Southampton securing a 3-1 win over West Bromwich Albion. The first quarter of the game was evenly matched before Armstrong’s 24th goal of a prolific campaign put Saints in the lead.
Chances were few and far between thereafter, with an oddly off-color Crysencio Summerville shooting wide for Leeds and Samuel Edozie wasting a fine opportunity on the break for Southampton.
Dan James twice came close to forcing extra time, but Alex McCarthy made an excellent full-length save from his low 20-yard effort after the crossbar had earlier denied the Welshman.
The win marks Russell Martin’s first promotion as a manager. Interestingly, Martin, who was let go by Norwich during Leeds boss Daniel Farke’s tenure at Carrow Road, has now led Southampton back to the Premier League.
Vindication for Martin as Saints bounce back
Martin left Swansea to take over at Southampton last summer after a turbulent season for the Saints, which saw them sack Ralph Hasenhuttl and Nathan Jones, ultimately finishing bottom under Ruben Selles.
Known for his attractive style of play during his time at MK Dons and Swansea, Martin had yet to finish in a play-off spot or achieve promotion before this season.
His tenure at Southampton didn’t start smoothly, with captain James Ward-Prowse being sold after the opening-day win at Sheffield Wednesday. A run of four straight defeats in September, including a 5-0 loss at Sunderland, left many questioning if Martin’s time at St Mary’s would be short-lived.
However, a 3-1 victory over Leeds on September 30 marked the beginning of a remarkable turnaround. The team went on a 25-game unbeaten run that put them in contention for automatic promotion.
Although they were still in the chase in April, three consecutive losses to Cardiff, Leicester, and Stoke dashed those hopes. Following a goalless draw at West Brom in the first leg of their play-off semi-final, they secured a convincing win in the return leg. While not at their sparkling best in Sunday’s final, they had enough to overcome Leeds and secure promotion.
Luck runs out for promotion specialist Farke
German manager Daniel Farke, speaking after the play-off win over his former team Norwich, stated he wouldn’t have returned to England for any other Championship club than Leeds, having twice led Norwich to the division title.
Like the thousands of Leeds fans at Wembley, Farke will be left with regrets from a day where his team didn’t find their rhythm until it was too late.
Leeds became the first second-tier side to accumulate 90 points and not secure automatic promotion since Sunderland in 1997-98, with the Black Cats also losing in that season’s play-off final.
Questions will now arise regarding the futures of Championship Player of the Season Crysencio Summerville, teenage star Archie Gray, and French forward Georginio Rutter.
Supported by the 49ers Enterprises investment group, Leeds should be well-positioned to challenge again in 2024-25, but the nature of this defeat will undoubtedly sting.