Southampton earned their spot in the Championship play-off final after beating West Brom on Friday night.
Southampton will face Leeds United in the Championship play-off final next weekend, after beating West Brom 3-1 in the Championship play-off semi-final on Friday night.
The Saints drew the first leg 0-0 at The Hawthorns but would put on a good show at St Mary’s, with goals coming from Will Smallbone and then two from Adam Armstrong in the second half.
Cedric Kipre scored a consolation goal for the Baggies late on but Russell Martin’s side put on an overall good show to earn their spot at Wembley next weekend.
They’ll face a Leeds United side who thumped Norwich City 4-0 on aggregate in their play-off semi-final, after finishing three points and a place ahead of Southampton in 4th in the final Championship table.
Matt Le Tissier reacts to Southampton win vs West Brom
Saints fans celebrated their victory over West Brom by swarming onto the pitch, with the actions drawing mixed responses from neutrals who watched the game.
But Southampton legend Le Tissier was impressed by the result nonetheless, posting on X after the game:
“Amazing night at St Mary’s but the job is only half done. Next Sunday will be fun given 2 of my brothers are Leeds fans.”
Southampton will play at Wembley for the first time since the 2016/17 League Cup final where they lost to Manchester United.
And Martin’s Southampton will face Leeds United for a third time this season; the Saints did the double over Leeds in the Championship, winning 3-1 at St Mary’s and then 2-1 at Elland Road earlier in May.
‘Job is only half done’ says Matt Le Tissier
Leeds will be a very tough opponent in the final, and with it being a final with huge potential upside for the winner, recent form and head-to-heads might be disregarded.
Although Southampton have beaten Leeds both times they’ve faced the Whites this season, the Wembley atmosphere the pressure of the game may level out the playing field.
And Leeds looked good in their semi final against Norwich; they showcased their attacking threat with four goals against the Canaries, but Southampton also showed theirs against West Brom.
It was a commanding performance from Martin’s players with Armstrong clinical once again; he could be a player who decides the fate of the play-off final and one who’ll be in Leeds boss Daniel Farke’s thinking ahead of the game.
Leeds United and Southampton will meet at Wembley on Sunday 26th of May with kick off at 3pm.