Southampton were promoted back to the Premier League after they secured a 1-0 victory against Leeds United in the Championship play-off final.
After an enthralling season, it was Adam Armstrong’s clinical first half finish that proved decisive and sent Saints back to the top-flight following a year-long hiatus.
Will Smallbone’s moment of brilliance, feeding a lovely pass through the Leeds’ defence, saw Armstrong gratefully latch onto the ball and place it into the bottom-left corner of the goal.
It was his 24th goal of the season, and he could have had another before half time, had it not been for the heroics of Illan Meslier, who produced an excellent save to deny the forward.
Mail Sport’s Aadam Patel delivers his player ratings from a thrilling afternoon at Wembley.
Southampton have been promoted to the Premier League following a 1-0 victory against Leeds
There was heartache for Daniel Farke’s (centre) side at full-time after missing out on promotion
Adam Armstrong (pictured) scored a decisive goal in the first half to see Saints return to the top-flight after a year-long hiatus
Leeds (4-2-3-1)
Illan Meslier – 6
Will feel he could have done better for Southampton’s goal but made two crucial saves in the first half to keep Leeds in the game.
Archie Gray – 6
A proud day for the 18-year-old as he became the youngest-ever Leeds player to play at Wembley. He played Adam Armstrong onside for the Southampton goal and was perhaps a little too cautious. Certainly not his best game but you would expect that a man of his talent will have plenty of Wembley appearances in the future.
Joe Rodon – 6
Suspect defending for the goal as Armstrong found himself in acres of space too easily. Was good on the ball though and got the Leeds fans going with a terrific run in the second half.
Ethan Ampadu – 6
Like Rodon, will know the backline should have done better for the goal that ultimately proved costly. Apart from that, put in a good shift.
Illan Meslier (pictured) produced a sensational save to deny Saints a 2-0 lead in the first half
Junior Firpo (front) endured a quiet first half but offered much more energy in the second before being taken off
Leeds captain Ethan Ampadu (pictured) put in a good shift and looked to galvanise his team in the second half
Joe Rodon’s (right) suspect defending allowed Armstrong to put Southampton 1-0 up
Junior Firpo – 6
Showed much more energy in the second half after a quiet first-half. Was taken off late on for Mateo Joseph as Leeds searched for a leveller.
Ilia Gruev – 6
Plenty of touches but in truth, struggled against the Southampton midfield.
Glen Kamara – 5
Struggled with the intensity of the game and was hooked off in the second half for Connor Roberts.
Wilfried Gnonto – 6
Showed great energy but part of a Leeds frontline that didn’t test Alex McCarthy in the first half. Was ineffective after the break and taken off in the 66th minute for Daniel James as Leeds looked to stretch Southampton.
Glen Kamara (right) struggled with the intensity of the game and was hooked off in the second half
Leeds’ winger Crysencio Summerville (right) could have played his final game for the club after an underwhelming display
Georginio Rutter (right) was barely involved all game and that is perhaps not good enough considering his price tag
Georginio Rutter – 5
Barely involved all game and that is simply not good enough for a man who cost Leeds a club record £36million.
Crysencio Summerville – 5
The Championship Player of the Season. Regularly offered an option but failed to deliver in the biggest game of the season. Booked harshly for a first-half foul and Daniel Farke surprisingly decided to take him off in the second half as Leeds hunted for an equaliser. Would expect that Summerville has now played his last game for Leeds. A sad way to end.
Joel Piroe – 5
Apart from kick off, he barely had a touch in the first half. Regularly made runs through the channels but lacked the service. A forgettable afternoon
Speedster Wilfried Gnonto (left) threatened Southampton’s Joe Aribo (right) on the right wing
Leeds striker Joel Piroe (pictured) struggled to get on the ball and could not affect the match
Substitutes
Daniel James – 7
Replaced Wilfried Gnonto in the 66th minute and so unlucky not to equalise with a ferocious effort that rattled the crossbar before forcing Alex McCarthy to make a brilliant save in injury time. Made a huge difference and definitely the best Leeds player. Should have started.
Connor Roberts – 5
Came on in the 74th minute for Glen Kamara.
Jaidon Anthony – 5
Came on for Crysencio Summerville in the 74th minute
Mateo Joseph – 5
Replaced Junior Firpo in the 84th minute.
Substitute Daniel James (pictured) came on for Gnonto and was unlucky not to equalise after rattling the crossbar
Daniel Farke’s (pictured) side struggled to put away their chances, despite having multiple attempts in the first half
Southampton (4-3-3)
Alex McCarthy – 7
Didn’t have to make a save in the first half but was solid all afternoon and made a crucial stop in the dying stages to deny Daniel James.
Jan Bednarek – 7
Part of a solid Southampton back three and showed all his experience in the middle of that for a crucial clean sheet.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis – 7
Another one who defended admirably, bar a booking for recklessly taking out Georginio Rutter. And was involved in the goal.
Jack Stephens – 7
Held his own on the left side of the back three with a resolute display.
Kyle Walker-Peters – 7
Full of energy all game and constantly offered an outlet down the right flank.
Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy (centre) didn’t have much work to do but was solid when called upon
Kyle Walker-Peters (left) had a tough job handling Summerville (right) but was full of energy throughout
Taylor Harwood-Bellis (left) was shown a yellow card but was brilliant in defence all afternoon
Jan Bednarek (right) commanded Saints’ defence with composure – the Poland international defended admirably and stopped Leeds from breaking the line on several occasions
Will Smallbone – 7.5
The architect of the goal with a lovely threaded through-ball to Adam Armstrong. Battled well all afternoon.
Flynn Downes – 8
Another superb display and a joy to watch. Made more tackles than anyone else on the pitch and dictated the game from central midfield. Would expect him to get much more chances at West Ham next season.
Joe Aribo – 7.5
Like Downes and Smallbone, part of a Saints midfield that was so key to them winning the game. Was constantly involved both attackingly and defensively.
Flynn Downes (left) was a joy to watch. He made more tackles than anyone else and dictated the game from midfield
It was Will Smallbone’s (centre) brilliant pass that thread Armstrong through for Saints’ opener
Ryan Fraser – 7
Didn’t have the chance to offer much going forward but put in a solid defensive shift as a left wing-back. Was booked in the first half and then replaced in the 70th minute for Che Adams as Russell Martin opted for an attacking change with Leeds increasing the pressure.
David Brooks – 6
An emotional afternoon. A year after making his return to football following a cancer diagnosis, Brooks was in tears as he was forced off in the 35th minute with a dislocated shoulder after a nasty fall. He was later seen sitting on the bench with his arm in a sling.
Adam Armstrong – 8
The man who sent Southampton back to the Premier League with his 24th goal of the campaign and remarkably, his 37th goal involvement in the Championship this season.
It was a top finish too after a brilliant run that was too good for a Leeds defence, who he has terrorised with goals in each of his three games against them this term.
Ryan Fraser (left) didn’t have too many chances in attack but produced a brilliant defensive display
Armstrong’s (centre) clinical strike secured the victory for Southampton and sent them back to the Premier League
It was a game of few chances but Russell Martin’s (pictured) side were clinical when it mattered
Substitutes
Samuel Edozie – 7
Introduced in the first-half after Brooks was forced off and got quickly stuck in. Had a massive chance to settle the tie in the second half and write his name into history but blazed over. Despite coming on, he was taken off in the 83rd minute for Ryan Manning as Russell Martin’s side looked to see the game out.
Che Adams – 6
Came on in the 70th minute for Ryan Fraser.
Ryan Manning – 5
Replaced Samuel Edozie in the 83rd minute.