Southampton 3-1 West Brom: Saints march to meet Leeds at Wembley for a Premier League place | OneFootball

Southampton will face Leeds at Wembley on May 26 for a place in next season’s Premier League.

Russell Martin’s side ran out 3-1 winners at St Mary’s, keeping their hopes of an immediate top-flight return alive.

Following a goalless draw in the opening leg at The Hawthorns, despite 26 shots between the sides (albeit just five on target), it was all to play for this evening.

In the 139th minute of this contest, Will Smallbone seized the opportunity. Exploiting a Baggies error in the middle third, David Brooks, who had gained possession on the right, fed Smallbone. After a few deft touches, he fired a shot past Alex Palmer, breaking the deadlock.

Adam Armstrong, who has been nothing short of sensational for Southampton all season, ensured they are heading to London in a little over a week by registering a late brace.  Cédric Kipré would pull one back for WBA at the last minute, but it was nothing more than a consolation that’ll be soon forgotten.

Armstrong’s brace moved him onto 22 home goal involvements (14 goals, eight assists) in the Championship in 2023-24 – more than any other player in the competition.

A jubilant Martin will feel his side deserves to rub shoulders with Manchester City and renew a rivalry with Bournemouth.

In the regular season, they won 87 points and were still placed outside the top three (fourth) – something only Charlton (88 in 1997-98) has done in EFL second-tier history. It was also Southampton’s third-highest points tally in a single league season, after winning 88 in the Championship in 2011-12 and 92 in the third tier on the way to promotion a season earlier.

Southampton has won eight of its last ten meetings with West Brom, who are facing a fourth successive season in the Championship; they will look to join Leicester and Ipswich in the big time at Leeds’ expense. The Yorkshire side has appeared in the EFL play-offs five times previously and has failed to seal promotion on any occasion.

It’s also worth noting that Martin’s side will travel to Wembley, having beaten Leeds at home and away in the Championship this season.