Southampton secured an immediate return to the Premier League by beating Leeds United in the Championship play-off final 2024 courtesy of Adam Armstrong’s first-half goal.
Striker Armstrong found space behind Leeds’ defence to latch on to Will Smallbone’s threaded pass and score his 24th goal of the season in the 24th minute at Wembley Stadium, coolly slotting past advanced goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
Leeds had amassed 90 points during the regular season to finish third behind champions Leicester City and Ipswich Town, but Daniel Farke’s side produced only one shot on target before a late rally sparked by Dan James arrowing a shot against the crossbar with six minutes remaining.
Electric substitute James then made Alex McCarthy paw his fizzing low shot away during nine minutes of added time, but Leeds could not find a reply as their own hopes of a return to the top flight following their relegation in 2022/23 were dashed.
“Southampton announce their Wembley arrival!”
Clinical from Adam Armstrong! 
pic.twitter.com/OZNRw7Nzft
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 26, 2024
Armstrong had come close to a second during first-half added time, forcing Meslier to stop his angled shot at full stretch after breaking free following a clever free-kick routine.
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Author : Ben Miller
Publish date : 2024-05-26 16:11:06
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Author : soccernews
Publish date : 2024-05-26 16:21:28
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