Putting in what was a season-defining performance on Sunday afternoon, Southampton scored an immediate Premier League return as they clinched a 1-0 victory against Leeds at Wembley.
Earning in the region of £140million following Sunday’s play-off final win in north London, it was attacking talisman Adam Armstrong who proved to be the Saints’ hero as the 27-year-old produced a slick finish midway through the first-half.
While Russell Martin’s men might have finished three points behind Leeds in the final Championship standings, the Saints caused their fellow play-off finalists plenty of issues and were a deserving winner.
With emotional scenes among Southampton’s camp following the full-time whistle, Southampton following Leicester and Ipswich in planning for lie back among England’s elite.
Although Leeds might have opened 2024 pencilled in as a real top-two contender, the Lilywhites have really limped their way over the finishing line and suffered major heartbreak in north London.
Now preparing for another campaign in the Championship, Leeds have also lost all of their previous three finals at Wembley without scoring a single goal.
On an afternoon when Southampton officially secured their immediate Premier League return, we have taken a look at the key talking points.
Southampton secure an immediate Premier League return
Although Martin might have found some mounting pressure on his shoulders back in September as Southampton suffered four Championship defeats on the bounce, the former Swansea boss has seen his squad come roaring back in a sensational fashion.
While some around St. Mary’s might have thought that Martin’s stint on the South Coast could be a brief one, the Saints embarked on a record-breaking 25-game unbeaten run that propelled them into automatic promotion contention.
Gaining a real reputation for their free-flowing approach under the one-time Norwich defender, Southampton continued to receive a string of praise…
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Author : Tom Dunstan
Publish date : 2024-05-27 09:27:29
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