SportFootballPremier League promotion awaits the winner of the ‘richest game in football’ at Wembley
Related video: Paris Hilton sends Leeds United video of support ahead of Championship play-off final against SouthamptonLeeds United and Southampton meet in a fascinating Championship play-off final at Wembley this afternoon with a place in the Premier League on the line.
The Championship’s third and fourth-placed finishers came through their semi-finals in relative comfort, each recording strong home second-leg victories after securing 0-0 draws on the road, to book their place in ‘the richest game in football’ – where victory is said to be worth more than £100m to the winning club.
The pair are seeking to make an immediate return to the top flight following last year’s relegation, having missed out to Leicester and Ipswich in a dramatic chase for automatic promotion places.
Daniel Farke has helped reshape Leeds after last year’s relegation, while Russell Martin’s extreme possession and passing-based style of football has given Southampton a shot at playing top-flight football once again.
Follow full live coverage of the clash with our blog below:
1716733800Leeds 0-1 Southampton27 mins: A great counter-attacking chance for Leeds as they pick up the Southampton corner and Gray strides forward. It’s a four on two in Leeds’ favour!
But Gray’s pass inside is misplaced under pressure from Downes. What an opportunity squandered.
Luke Baker26 May 2024 15:30
1716733715Leeds 0-1 Southampton 26 mins: Wembley bouncing now with noise from Southampton supporters. That was a hammer blow for Leeds.
The Saints come forward again and Walker-Peters’ cross is blocked behind for a corner by Firpo
Luke Baker26 May 2024 15:28
1716733544GOAL! Leeds 0-1 Southampton (Armstrong 24’)And it’s Southampton who take the lead, almost out of nothing!
The Leeds defence are caught napping – their defensive line is so disjointed. Ampadu steps forward deal with Smallbone and the Saints midfielder simply slips the ball through to Adam Armstrong in acres of space. Armstrong takes a couple of touches and lashes the ball into the corner past Meslier.
Nice finish and Southampton lead in this play-off final!
Luke Baker26 May 2024 15:25
1716733506Leeds 0-0 Southampton23 mins: Rutter strides forward and a crescendo of noise builds as he feeds Gray on the overlap down the right. But the 18-year-old’s cross is too deep and out for a goal-kick.
Luke Baker26 May 2024 15:25
1716733345 Leeds 0-0 Southampton 20 mins: Summerville tries a reverse pass on the edge of the box to try and free Gnonto but perhaps he should have shot at goal instead, as it was blocked.
Tackles flying in from both sides now! The intensity has been compelling so far.
Luke Baker26 May 2024 15:22
1716733260 Leeds 0-0 Southampton
(Getty Images)
(REUTERS)
(Getty Images)
(Action Images via Reuters)Luke Baker26 May 2024 15:21
1716733117 Leeds 0-0 Southampton 16 mins: The Southampton fans are now the louder as ‘When The Saints Go Marching In’ rings round Wembley. Although a decent rendition of ‘Marching On Together’ in response from Leeds supporters.
Gnonto goes down holding his back after a tussle with Stephens but didn’t look like there was much in it.
Luke Baker26 May 2024 15:18
1716732929SAVE! Leeds 0-0 Southampton 13 mins: And now the first save of the game. Smallbone goes for goal with a free-kick from 30 yards and Meslier springs to his right to push the ball behind for a corner. Decent enough strike.
Meslier then flaps at the cross from the subsequent corner but it runs harmlessly through. This is much better from Southampton
Luke Baker26 May 2024 15:15
1716732855CHANCE! Leeds 0-0 Southampton 12 mins: Southampton finally get their foot on the ball and play it around the back before attacking at pace. Nice work by Aribo in the build-up and Armstrong into the box on the right-hand side, cuts it back for Smallbone and only a desperate diving block by Rodon stops the shot going on target. Superb defending.
Luke Baker26 May 2024 15:14
1716732640 Leeds 0-0 Southampton 9 mins: Southampton look completely rattled here. This time Rutter darts into the box and only some panicked defending gets the ball away from him before a sliced clearance.
Firpo then slips in the wet and catches Brooks near halfway to give away the free-kick – some relief for Southampton at last.
Luke Baker26 May 2024 15:10
