Southampton secured promotion back to the Premier League after a year-long exile when Adam Armstrong sealed a 1-0 victory over Leeds in the Championship play-off final on Sunday. Armstrong’s first-half goal at Wembley ensured Southampton erased the bitter taste of last year’s top-flight relegation with an immediate comeback. Victory in football’s richest game will give Southampton a windfall estimated at £140 million ($178 million) due to increases in matchday, broadcast and commercial revenue for clubs reaching the Premier League.
Financial experts at Deloitte say Southampton could eventually earn £305m if they avoid relegation next season.
While the prize money is a huge bonus, it was the prestige of competing with Manchester City and Arsenal, rather than second-tier minnows like Plymouth and Oxford, that fueled Southampton’s desire to regain their Premier League status after one year in purgatory.
Southampton, whose only major honor is the 1976 FA Cup, spent 11 years in the Premier League before being relegated.
They hope this success, celebrated by more than 35,000 fans at Wembley, will be the prelude to another long spell in the elite.
In their first play-off final, Southampton recorded three wins over Leeds this season despite finishing three points behind the Elland Road club in the regular season.
Saints manager Russell Martin became widely admired for his purist passing principles and this was the 38-year-old’s crowning glory.
Martin was coaching in League One with Milton Keynes Dons just three years ago, but transformed Southampton in his first season in charge to such an extent that they boasted more possession than any team in Europe’s top five leagues this season.
“I’m really pleased with the board because it wasn’t an emotional appointment for them. I finished 10th at Swansea, but we had a very clear way of doing things at MK (Dons) and here, so for them to take me on was very brave,” Martin said.
“We had to do this to justify their decision. I’m very excited about this.
“The team has been very brave. I’m very grateful and proud of them. They deserve it.”
Securing promotion at the expense of Leeds manager Daniel Farke was a sweet moment for Martin after his Norwich contract was terminated by the German during their time together at Carrow Road in 2018.
The defeat was a blow to Farke and Leeds, who were relegated alongside Southampton last season.
– Back to the promised land –
American socialite Paris Hilton and film star Will Ferrell – a minority shareholder in the club – made good luck videos for Farke’s side, but there was no Hollywood ending for Leeds.
On the 35th anniversary of the death of their legendary manager Don Revie, Leeds were well below their best in the club’s fourth play-off final defeat.
After losing the automatic promotion place to Ipswich, the three-time English champions have not won at Wembley since 1992.
Leeds started quickly but Southampton weathered the storm and took the lead in the 24th minute.
Armstrong scored twice in the play-off semi-final victory over West Brom and the striker again showed his predatory instincts with his 24th goal this season.
Expertly avoiding the Leeds offside trap with a well-timed run, Armstrong met Will Smallbone’s pass with an excellent shot into the far corner from 12 yards.
Leeds were rocked and Armstrong nearly struck again after another instinctive effort from a quick free-kick from Smallbone, but this time Illan Meslier managed to parry his shot from close range.
Early in the second half, Leeds defender Joe Rodon embarked on a furious run that looked certain to end in a goal, until Taylor Harwood-Bellis launched himself into a last-ditch block.
Leeds pressed hard for an equalizer but Daniel James’ shot hit the post before the winger was denied by Alex McCarthy’s injury-time save as Southampton celebrated their return to the promised land.
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