SOUTHAMPTON have beaten West Brom 3-1 to charge into the Championship playoff final.
Leeds United now await at Wembley on May 26 with the Premier League in sight.
Though there were some scary scenes at the final whistle after Saints fans clashed with the visiting supporters.
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That’s all from St Mary’s
A night of jubilation on the south coast.
But even the most optimistic of Southampton fans will know that the job is only half done.
The Saints will head to Wembley in nine days to take on Leeds United for a place back in the top-flight – 12 months on from when both clubs dropped out of it.
Only one can take the glory, and we’ll be there to follow every dramatic moment.
Until then, thanks for joining us and goodnight.
Russell ready for Farke reunion
Russell Martin is one game away from being a Premier League manager – and standing in his way is the man who almost called time on his playing days.
Martin was an experienced right-back at Norwich when Daniel Farke – now at Leeds – arrived as the new Carrow Road boss in May 2017.
And although the pair initially had a promising working relationship, it soon became clear that the German coach wanted to go in a different direction.
Fans favourite Martin was shipped out to Rangers on loan, and then left for Walsall and MK Dons before announcing his retirement.
And now the two will come face-to-face again – at Wembley on May 26 – when they meet in the game with the biggest prize of the lot.
I didn’t envisage it happening five or six years ago when we worked together but it is what it is. I have a lot of respect for [Daniel Farke]. He has a great record in this division and it will be a tough game but it’s not about me or him, It’s about the two teams that step out on to the pitch.
Russell Martin
Fan clashes at full time
Southampton’s Championship play-off semi-final win over West Brom was marred by incidents that took place after the final whistle.
Thousands of home supporters poured on to the pitch to celebrate victory, but a small minority headed in the direction of the stadium section housing the away fans.
A number of ugly clashes took place with bottles and flares being thrown between the two sets of supporters, prompting a number of physical confrontations.
Police and security staff managed to restore order soon after before the pitch was eventually cleared.
Armstrong: We have been brave
Southampton’s two-goal hero Adam Armstrong praised his teammates for tonight’s performance, and then reiterated that they deserve their place at Wembley because of the football they have played this season.
Southampton have been praised – and criticised – for the passing and possession approach they have adopted Russell Martin, who has encouraged his team to play out from tight positions.
“Something we’ve been working on all year is to get back to the Premier League,” Armstrong told Sky Sports.
“What a win. We know West Brom are a good side over the two legs. We needed to put a marker down for the final and we’ve done that.”
I’m proud of everyone. The way we play is not easy. You’ve seen the way we keep the ball, it’s brave. Exciting at times. It paid off today.
Adam Armstrong
Match Stats from St Mary’s
Southampton took their time, but eventually struck to sink West Brom – scoring with all three of the shots on target in the second half.
Full time – Southampton 3-1 West Brom (Agg: 3-1)
Southampton are in the Championship play-off final!
Russell Martin’s team found the attacking impetus to add to their first half domination of the ball, and were eventually too good for an Albion outfit that battled to the end.
Will Smallbone’s classy finish, and a brace from Adam Armstrong – one from the penalty spot – ensures it is Saints that will face Leeds for a place in the Premier League.
Southampton 3-1 West Brom (Agg: 3-1)
90+7. Is this the least celebrated goal in the history of football? It has to be up there, surely.
Cedric Kipre gets up to meet Mikey Johnston’s right-wing corner with a thumping header that loops in via the inside of the post.
There’s barely a murmur as the ball nestles in the net save for some ironic cheers, and neither is there a reaction from the West Brom players as they jog back into position.
It’s unlikely there will be time for them to touch the ball again.
Consolation
Southampton 3-0 West Brom (Agg: 3-0)
90+4. The songs are being belted out with incredible gusto inside St Mary’s. For football fans, moments don’t come much better than these final moments when you know you’ve got the job done.
Que sera, sera…
Southampton 3-0 West Brom (Agg: 3-0)
90+2. Albion are throwing men forward but, in truth, their belief has long done.
On professional vibes only, they force a corner, and then Andreas Weimann gets on the end of a cross to head straight at McCarthy.
Southampton 3-0 West Brom (Agg: 3-0)
90. The board goes up to signal seven minutes of stoppage time.
The home fans don’t like it, but that’s only because it delays the party for a little longer.
Patience, boys and girls. Patience.
Southampton 3-0 West Brom (Agg: 3-0)
88. St Mary’s is rocking. I dare say the fans are preparing for the now obligatory play-off pitch invasion.
Odds on Sunak and Le Tissier being first on?
Southampton 3-0 West Brom (Agg: 3-0)
86. Adam Armstrong’s penalty was never in doubt!
Standing over the ball, the Saints striker looks confident, composed and cool as ice.
Right-footed, he pushes it into the right corner, and, although Alex Palmer dives the correct way, he is helpless to stop the spotkick.
Armstrong is desperate to prove he’s a Premier League player. He’s 90 minutes away from doing just that.
It’s three!
Southampton 2-0 West Brom (Agg: 2-0)
84. On the break, Manning bursts into the box to collect Stephen’s short pass and goes down under the challenge of two diving defenders.
Again, Tim Robinson takes a lengthy stare…
…and this time says penalty!
It’s harsh on Albion, and nothing when compared to the previous shout that was turned away, but Southampton do not care.
Southampton 2-0 West Brom (Agg: 2-0)
81. West Brom almost pull one back in spectacular fashion.
Mowatt’s raking pass over the top is watched all the way by Reach, whose delicate volley drops just wide of the far post.
Southampton 2-0 West Brom (Agg: 2-0)
78. Southampton are heading to Wembley – and their main man is leading the charge!
Adam Armstrong has his goal in front of the home fans, and doesn’t he deserve it?!
Flynn Downes breaks from midfield and feeds his striker on the left, at which points the Albion defence must feel they have the situation covered.
But Armstrong puts his head down to come inside, switches back on to his left foot, then powers a shot through the legs of Darnell Furlong and into the bottom corner past Alex Palmer.
The Saints go marching in…
Saints seal it!
Southampton 1-0 West Brom (Agg: 1-0)
75. FIfteen minutes remain.
Southampton are 15 minutes from Wembley.
Southampton 1-0 West Brom (Agg: 1-0) – Southampton substitute
74. The home dugout returns in kind with a switch that sees Samuel Edozie on in place of David Brooks.
Southampton 1-0 West Brom (Agg: 1-0) – West Brom substitution
73. Adam Reach is on for the Albion. He can be good value for a spectacular goal out of nowhere.
Conor Townsend makes way.
Southampton 1-0 West Brom (Agg: 1-0)
72. More substitutes are being prepared by the side of the pitch.
But for now, it’s the players currently on the pitch trying to propel this semi-final in their favour.
Southampton 1-0 West Brom (Agg: 1-0)
70. There are a few signs that Albion are beginning to make their move.
The visitors have started to trouble their opponents in the past few minutes, particularly from set plays.
Swift swings a free-kick into the area from the right, and Kipre creeps in around the back to meet it with a shot into the side netting.
Southampton 1-0 West Brom (Agg: 1-0)
68. Adam Armstrong has the ball in the back of the net…
…but the flag is up for offside.
There’s no VAR in the Championship, remember, so this proper football match can continue without delay, confusion and frustration.
Southampton 1-0 West Brom (Agg: 1-0) – Southampton substitution
66. Southampton have the fourth official reaching for his electronic board again, but just to make one change.
Ryan Manning is on to replace he man who replaced him in the starting line-up: Ryan Fraser.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
