Southampton earned promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt, defeating Leeds United 1-0 in the Championship play-off final on Sunday. The south-coast club, relegated at the end of the 2022/23 season, will join Leicester City and Ipswich Town in the top flight next season.
The match began cautiously, but Southampton took the lead in the 24th minute when striker Adam Armstrong netted his 24th goal of the season. The 27-year-old forward timed his run perfectly to latch onto a through ball from Will Smallbone, finishing expertly past Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier. Armstrong’s prolific season places him second in the Championship top scorer charts, just behind Blackburn Rovers’ Sammie Szmodics, who has 27 goals.
Leeds struggled to create significant chances to equalize until late in the second half. Daniel James, substituted on for Wilfried Gnonto in the 66th minute, connected with Georginio Rutter on the edge of the penalty area and almost equalized, but his volley struck the Southampton crossbar. Despite nine minutes of stoppage time, Southampton managed to hold off Leeds and secure the victory.
This win marks more play-off disappointment for Leeds, who have now failed to secure promotion via the play-offs for the sixth consecutive time. For Southampton, the victory not only restores their Premier League status but also brings substantial financial benefits. According to accounting firm Deloitte, Southampton will see a revenue increase of at least £140 million ($178 million) over the next three seasons, potentially exceeding £305 million if they avoid relegation in their first season back.
The triumph caps a remarkable turnaround for Southampton, setting the stage for their return to the Premier League and the opportunities that come with it.
