Adam Armstrong played a huge part in securing Southampton’s place at Wembley with a brace in the 3-1 win over West Brom.
Having struggled to make an impact as Southampton drew 0-0 at The Hawthorns in the first leg of the Championship play-off semi-final against West Brom, it was a much-improved performance from Armstrong on Friday night.
The striker stepped up to score his 22nd and 23d goals of the season, with the first a left-footed strike into the far corner through the legs of the defender and the second from the penalty spot following Ryan Manning being brought down.
However, Armstrong was full of praise for the man who opened the scoring in the victory over West Brom, as he spoke on Will Smallbone‘s influence.
Adam Armstrong praises Will Smallbone after West Brom win
Smallbone has been at Southampton since the age of eight but this is his first season as a regular for the club.
The 24-year-old was unable to break into the side when the Saints were in the Premier League but impressed on loan at Stoke City last season whilst his parent club were relegated from the top flight.
This presented Smallbone with a chance he may not have otherwise got if Southampton had remained a Premier League club and the boyhood fan is determined to snatch it with both hands.
The Irish midfielder put in arguably his best performance for Southampton in the 3-1 win over West Brom and it was his stunning strike that broke the deadlock in the 49th-minute.
Armstrong spoke post-match about that moment, as he said: “It’s unbelievable (for him), Will has been outstanding this season.
“It’s not easy for a lad from his home club to come through.
“I think he’s played nearly every minute this year. He has been outstanding. What a finish that was to get us started for the second half.”
Smallbone’s impressive first season as a Southampton regular
Smallbone has had some tough moments this season, with a real blip in form in February.
However, for the most part the midfielder has been impressive as he has operated as a box-to-box midfielder and even deputised as a holding midfielder at times when Flynn Downes has been absent.
Southampton manager Russell Martin is a big fan of Smallbone and nothing highlights this better than the fact he has plated 45 Championship games this season according to Transfermarkt.
He has contributed a lot to his side in an attacking sense too and has stepped up to provide the creativity from midfield in Stuart Armstrong‘s absence through injury.
In fact, Smallbone is Southampton’s highest scoring midfielder in the league this campaign with seven goals as well as three assists leaving him on a very respectable ten goal contributions.
Now, Smallbone will play for the club he has represented for 16 years at Wembley and he will be desperate to help his team secure a return to the Premier League.