Football’s fine margins on show at Wembley as Southampton clinch promotion to Premier League | OneFootball

It was a play-off final which typified the fine margins between success and failure in football.

Daniel Farke and Russell Martin were in near identical situations upon taking over at Leeds and Southampton respectively at the start of the season and were given exactly the same remit. Achieve promotion back to the Premier League.

A play-off final stood between both managers and their ultimate aim, but Adam Armstrong’s only goal of the game in a battling display from his Southampton side ensures this season is a success for the Saints and ultimately a failure for Farke. Will Sallbone’s neat pass sent the striker racing in on goal in the first half, taking advantage of a disjointed Leeds defence to stay onside before finding the bottom corner.

Martin’s side had to withstand plenty of pressure from their opponents, particularly in the second half, but limited a team stacked with attacking talent to very few opportunities thanks to some heroic performances at the back.

Daniel James’ dipping strike smacked the crossbar before bouncing down and out late on to the relief of half of the stadium and despair of the other half, and demonstrated just how small and cruel the gap can often be between realising your goals and not.

It has not always been plain sailing for Martin this season. Costly results towards the end of the campaign prevented them from winning automatic promotion, which had been the expectation for many supporters after being relegated from the Premier League a year ago.

But ultimately he has achieved his aim of getting a club which have been such a mainstay in the Premier League in recent years back to where they will feel they deserve to belong. For Leeds fans, another season in the Championship awaits.

The half-and-half split between both sets of fans inside Wembley Stadium laid bare the contrasting emotions of ecstasy and agony after the final whistle. While the Leeds players sunk to their knees and fans headed for the exits, the opposite half of the ground transformed from nervousness into a party-like atmosphere as they celebrated with their team.

For Southampton, this achievement will mean little unless they avoid relegation next season and work towards consolidating themselves as Premier League regulars once again.

“It’s up to us to prove ourselves in the Premier League next season,” Martin said after the game.

“The style is something that myself and my players believe in, I won’t change and I love what I do.

“We’ll need to embrace the challenge without losing who we are.”