Southampton had been promoted again to the Premier League after they secured a 1-0 victory in opposition to Leeds United within the Championship play-off closing.
After an enthralling season, it was Adam Armstrong’s medical first half end that proved decisive and despatched Saints again to the top-flight following a year-long hiatus.
Will Smallbone’s second of brilliance, feeding a beautiful cross by the Leeds’ defence, noticed Armstrong gratefully latch onto the ball and place it into the bottom-left nook of the purpose.
It was his twenty fourth purpose of the season, and he may have had one other earlier than half time, had it not been for the heroics of Illan Meslier, who produced a superb save to disclaim the ahead.
Mail Sport’s Aadam Patel delivers his participant rankings from an exciting afternoon at Wembley.
Southampton have been promoted to the Premier League following a 1-0 victory in opposition to Leeds
There was heartache for Daniel Farke’s (centre) facet at full-time after lacking out on promotion
Adam Armstrong (pictured) scored a decisive purpose within the first half to see Saints return to the top-flight after a year-long hiatus
Leeds (4-2-3-1)
Illan Meslier – 6
Will really feel he may have carried out higher for Southampton’s purpose however made two essential saves within the first half to maintain Leeds within the sport.
Archie Grey – 6
A proud day for the 18-year-old as he grew to become the youngest-ever Leeds participant to play at Wembley. He performed Adam Armstrong onside for the Southampton purpose and was maybe somewhat too cautious. Definitely not his greatest sport however you’ll count on {that a} man of his expertise can have loads of Wembley appearances sooner or later.
Joe Rodon – 6
Suspect defending for the purpose as Armstrong discovered himself in acres of house too simply. Was good on the ball although and bought the Leeds followers going with a terrific run within the second half.
Ethan Ampadu – 6
Like Rodon, will know the backline ought to have carried out higher for the purpose that in the end proved pricey. Aside from that, put in an excellent shift.
Illan Meslier (pictured) produced a sensational save to disclaim Saints a 2-0 lead within the first half
Junior Firpo (entrance) endured a quiet first half however supplied way more power within the second earlier than being taken off
Leeds captain Ethan Ampadu (pictured) put in an excellent shift and appeared to galvanise his staff within the second half
Joe Rodon’s (proper) suspect defending allowed Armstrong to place Southampton 1-0 up
Junior Firpo – 6
Confirmed way more power within the second half after a quiet first-half. Was taken off late on for Mateo Joseph as Leeds looked for a leveller.
Ilia Gruev – 6
Loads of touches however in fact, struggled in opposition to the Southampton midfield.
Glen Kamara – 5
Struggled with the depth of the sport and was hooked off within the second half for Connor Roberts.
Wilfried Gnonto – 6
Confirmed nice power however a part of a Leeds frontline that didn’t check Alex McCarthy within the first half. Was ineffective after the break and brought off within the 66th minute for Daniel James as Leeds appeared to stretch Southampton.
Glen Kamara (proper) struggled with the depth of the sport and was hooked off within the second half
Leeds’ winger Crysencio Summerville (proper) may have performed his closing sport for the membership after an underwhelming show
Georginio Rutter (proper) was barely concerned all sport and that’s maybe not ok contemplating his price ticket
Georginio Rutter – 5
Barely concerned all sport and that’s merely not ok for a person who value Leeds a membership document £36million.
Crysencio Summerville – 5
The Championship Participant of the Season. Commonly supplied an choice however didn’t ship within the greatest sport of the season. Booked harshly for a first-half foul and Daniel Farke surprisingly determined to take him off within the second half as Leeds hunted for an equaliser. Would count on that Summerville has now performed his final sport for Leeds. A tragic solution to finish.
Joel Piroe – 5
Aside from kick off, he barely had a contact within the first half. Commonly made runs by the channels however lacked the service. A forgettable afternoon
Speedster Wilfried Gnonto (left) threatened Southampton’s Joe Aribo (proper) on the appropriate wing
Leeds striker Joel Piroe (pictured) struggled to get on the ball and couldn’t have an effect on the match
Substitutes
Daniel James – 7
Changed Wilfried Gnonto within the 66th minute and so unfortunate to not equalise with a ferocious effort that rattled the crossbar earlier than forcing Alex McCarthy to make an excellent save in harm time. Made an enormous distinction and undoubtedly the perfect Leeds participant. Ought to have began.
Connor Roberts – 5
Got here on within the 74th minute for Glen Kamara.
Jaidon Anthony – 5
Got here on for Crysencio Summerville within the 74th minute
Mateo Joseph – 5
Changed Junior Firpo within the 84th minute.
Substitute Daniel James (pictured) got here on for Gnonto and was unfortunate to not equalise after rattling the crossbar
Daniel Farke’s (pictured) facet struggled to place away their probabilities, regardless of having a number of makes an attempt within the first half
Southampton (4-3-3)
Alex McCarthy – 7
Didn’t should make a save within the first half however was strong all afternoon and made an important cease within the dying phases to disclaim Daniel James.
Jan Bednarek – 7
A part of a strong Southampton again three and confirmed all his expertise in the midst of that for an important clear sheet.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis – 7
One other one who defended admirably, bar a reserving for recklessly taking out Georginio Rutter. And was concerned within the purpose.
Jack Stephens – 7
Held his personal on the left facet of the again three with a resolute show.
Kyle Walker-Peters – 7
Stuffed with power all sport and continually supplied an outlet down the appropriate flank.
Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy (centre) did not have a lot work to do however was strong when referred to as upon
Kyle Walker-Peters (left) had a tricky job dealing with Summerville (proper) however was filled with power all through
Taylor Harwood-Bellis (left) was proven a yellow card however was sensible in defence all afternoon
Jan Bednarek (proper) commanded Saints’ defence with composure – the Poland worldwide defended admirably and stopped Leeds from breaking the road on a number of events
Will Smallbone – 7.5
The architect of the purpose with a beautiful threaded through-ball to Adam Armstrong. Battled effectively all afternoon.
Flynn Downes – 8
One other excellent show and a pleasure to observe. Made extra tackles than anybody else on the pitch and dictated the sport from central midfield. Would count on him to get way more probabilities at West Ham subsequent season.
Joe Aribo – 7.5
Like Downes and Smallbone, a part of a Saints midfield that was so key to them profitable the sport. Was continually concerned each attackingly and defensively.
Flynn Downes (left) was a pleasure to observe. He made extra tackles than anybody else and dictated the sport from midfield
It was Will Smallbone’s (centre) sensible cross that thread Armstrong by for Saints’ opener
Ryan Fraser – 7
Didn’t have the possibility to supply a lot going ahead however put in a strong defensive shift as a left wing-back. Was booked within the first half after which changed within the seventieth minute for Che Adams as Russell Martin opted for an attacking change with Leeds growing the stress.
David Brooks – 6
An emotional afternoon. A yr after making his return to soccer following a most cancers prognosis, Brooks was in tears as he was compelled off within the thirty fifth minute following a nasty fall and showing to injure his arm. Ended up in a sling on the bench.
Adam Armstrong – 8
The person who despatched Southampton again to the Premier League together with his twenty fourth purpose of the marketing campaign and remarkably, his thirty seventh purpose involvement within the Championship this season.
It was a prime end too after an excellent run that was too good for a Leeds defence, who he has terrorised with objectives in every of his three video games in opposition to them this time period.
Ryan Fraser (left) did not have too many probabilities in assault however produced an excellent defensive show
Armstrong’s (centre) medical strike secured the victory for Southampton and despatched them again to the Premier League
It was a sport of few probabilities however Russell Martin’s (pictured) facet had been medical when it mattered
Substitutes
Samuel Edozie – 7
Launched within the first-half after Brooks was compelled off and bought shortly caught in. Had a large likelihood to settle the tie within the second half and write his identify into historical past however blazed over. Regardless of approaching, he was taken off within the 83rd minute for Ryan Manning as Russell Martin’s facet appeared to see the sport out.
Che Adams – 6
Got here on within the seventieth minute for Ryan Fraser.
Ryan Manning – 5
Changed Samuel Edozie within the 83rd minute.
