Southampton promoted to Premier League after Championship play-off final win over Leeds United

Southampton have been promoted to the Premier League after beating Leeds United 1-0 in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.

In a game worth £170million to the winners, the Saints return to the top flight of English football at the first time of asking thanks to Adam Armstrong’s winner in the capital on Sunday.

Russell Martin’s side join Leicester City and Ipswich Town in securing promotion.

Southampton snatched the lead 24 minutes into the game, with Armstrong timing his run to perfection to latch onto Will Smallbone’s through ball.

With Leeds’ defence sleeping, Armstrong expertly slotted into the far corner beyond the onrushing Illan Meslier.

Leeds pushed for an equaliser in the second-half with Dan James rattling the cross bar with a superb effort from range.

Alex McCarthy in the Saints goal was also forced into sone vital saves, denying James late on in injury time.

A clash of heads involving James and Kyle Walker-Peters ensured there was nine minutes of time added on as the 36,000 Southampton fans who had made the journey watched on nervously.

Southampton hung on, returning to the Premier League after just one season away.

Club captain Jack Stephens fought to hold back tears at the full-time whistle, hailing the resilience his side showed at Wembley and throughout a thrilling 2023-24 season.

‘I’m just lost for words,’ Stephens told Sky Sports.

‘I’m sorry, I’m a little bit emotional at the moment. I’m so proud to be captain of this club. I’m just so proud of the boys today, they did unbelievable.

‘We probably didn’t play our best game today but we showed a different side to us. A few people have doubted us over this season. Can we defend? Can we dig in? But we really showed that today. We were magnificent.

‘This is the best feeling I’ve had in football.’

Match-winner Armstrong said: ‘It’s what we’ve been working for all year, we know how good the Championship has been this year.

‘What a way to go up! I saw the space in behind [for the goal] and I knew if I put it across goal it was going to go in, so it was a nice one.

‘It means everything. The gaffer and his staff came in in pre-season and put a marker down of what they wanted to see, and look at this.

‘This is why we’re footballers, we want to be involved in the biggest games, what a way to win.’