Southampton down West Brom to set up Wembley date with Leeds | OneFootball

Southampton sealed their place in the Championship’s play-off final with a second-half dismantling of West Brom.

Scorers: Smallbone 49′, Armstrong 78′, (PEN) 86′; Kipré 90+7′

Will Smallbone broke the deadlock just four minutes after the interval by sending a looping effort beyond Alex Palmer from David Brooks’ return pass.

The visitors’ best opening of the second half fell to Darnell Furlong, whose shot on the edge of the penalty was tipped over by Alex McCarthy.

But Adam Armstrong assured the Saints’ Wembley spot with a sweeping finish 12 minutes from time to produce a 35th goal contribution of the season.

Armstrong added a third for Russell Martin’s side from the penalty spot in the closing stages after Tom Fellows brought down Ryan Manning.

Cédric Kipré produced a stoppage-time consolation for the Baggies with a looping header which beat McCarthy in virtually the last action of the game.

Leeds United await Southampton in the play-off final on 27 May as the clubs vie to seal a swift return to the Premier League.