Thornton 3 – 1 W Brohm

Southampton will face Leeds United in the Championship play-off final, having beaten West Brom 3-1 in the second half.

After a goalless first leg, Saints arrived at Wembley with a second leg win at St Mary’s Stadium.

Doubles from Will Smallborn and Adam Armstrong did the damage in the second half as they beat the Lantern Bags in the final seconds to end a semifinal tie.

Cedric Kipre’s late header provided a consolation for the Hoops, who now face a third consecutive season in the second tier.

Southampton face Leeds United in the final on Sunday 26 May – live Sky Sports Football – The winner will be guaranteed promotion to next season’s Premier League.

Saints score in second half to secure promotion to finals

Southampton dominated the first half at St Mary’s but the closest they came was when David Brooks cut in from the outside of the post after Armstrong’s cross and rarely tested Alex Pain in the West Brom net Elmer.

But the breakthrough was found shortly after half-time. A mistake by Grady Diangana allowed Smallbone to play a one-two with Brooks before sprinting into the middle and firing an unstoppable shot past Palmer.

Brooks was involved again shortly afterwards, being chopped down by Kipre in the penalty area, but the referee dismissed Southampton’s penalty protest, leaving manager Russell Martin furious.

But the decision ultimately did not cost Southampton as Armstrong doubled their lead in the 78th minute with a pinpoint low shot into the bottom corner from 14 yards, before Ryan Manning eight minutes later After Manning’s shot, he fired the second goal from the penalty spot.

At least the visiting West Brom fans will be cheering in the final moments as Kipree found a small consolation in stoppage time.

The goal that took Southampton to Wembley

Martin: My players are fantastic | I’m so proud of Will Smallbone

southampton manager Russell Martin exist Sky Sports Football:

“The players were fantastic. I’m really proud of them. We were great in the first half and they were unbelievable in the second half. They unleashed a little bit. We tweaked things a little bit and they did a great job.

“Some football was really good. We faced a very good team and a top coach in Carlos. But in the end I feel we got what we deserved.

“Now we have to get there [promotion] Because it makes any sense. It all leads to something big. If we can play with the same grit and intensity as we did tonight, we’ll give ourselves a chance. That’s something we can enjoy tonight and breathe a little bit of relief. But then comes the preparation.

“I was excited for Will when the fans sang his name [Smallbone]. He is very eager to play for his club. This is his club. He has experienced some tough moments in his short career so far.

“He’s an incredible guy and watching him grow this season has been one of the greatest honors of my coaching career so far. He’s been so important to us. He’s selfless, he’s a great teammate and he’s important Sex keeps growing.

“He has the ability to be a real top player and I’m proud of him.”

Corberan: Now is the time to feel the pain

West Brom manager Carlos Corberan exist Sky Sports Football:

“Unfortunately, we couldn’t avoid some situations where we conceded goals. In general, it’s not just situations like this; I think the team doesn’t feel as comfortable when we don’t have the ball. We didn’t attack as much as we wanted to.

“When these things happen and you have a good team in front of you, you suffer because good teams take advantage of mistakes.

“It’s a moment to feel the pain. It’s a feeling we all have because we were motivated to go to Wembley. We didn’t want it to be just a play-off but it didn’t happen. It’s the moment it’s the end of the season. , starting tomorrow we will start the next season.

Second leg crowd at St Mary’s Stadium

How Leeds United reached the final

Goalscorers: Smallborn and Armstrong

Will Smallbone said on Sky Sports Football:

“My goal was just instinctive! What a win. It was a difficult game and West Brom are a tough team. The fans were fantastic and their performance was fantastic and that motivated us to win. .

“The manager has believed in me so much this year and I can’t speak highly enough of everything he’s done for me and my career. It’s been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember to play here and do it well” Now marvelous.

Adam Armstrong said on Sky Sports Football:

“It’s fantastic, we’ve been trying all year to get back into the Premier League. It’s a shame we’re not in the top two but it would be great if we could move up in this way.”

“I’m proud of everyone. The way we played was not easy. You’ve seen the way we had the ball, it was exciting at times. It paid off today. We have to be ready for the final and we’ve done that.” .

Warnock: It will be an incredible final

“The correct final will be at Wembley”

Sky Sports EFL Editor Simeon Gholam:

“The third versus fourth match will be at Wembley, with Southampton playing Leeds United.

“To be fair to West Brom and Norwich City, they’ve both had solid seasons, but based on what we’ve seen throughout the season you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who would say we didn’t have a proper final with two goals. The team gained enough points throughout the season to secure automatic promotion to the other day.

“Southampton may feel they have an advantage based on their two wins against Leeds United this season – including one on the final day of the regular season at Elland Road a few weeks ago.

“But on that day at the National Stadium, anything can happen and with such quality at both ends of the pitch, anything can happen really.”

What’s next?

southampton Progression to the Sky Bet Championship play-off final, where they will face leeds Live from Wembley on Sunday 26 May sky sports football.

West Brom It will remain in the second tier in the 2024/25 season.