Southampton returned to the Premier League at the first time of asking after beating Leeds United 1-0 at Wembley.
Adam Armstrong’s first-half goal proved to be the difference in the Sky Bet Championship play-off final on Sunday.
SAINTS are BACK 🆙 pic.twitter.com/EY9IVAEfzP
— Southam(P)ton FC (@SouthamptonFC) May 26, 2024
The last time they were relegated from the top flight in 2005 it took seven years to return, but this time they got the job done far more efficiently under Russell Martin.
Leeds, meanwhile, will have to battle it out in the second tier for another season.
It was Southampton who took the lead on 24 minutes at Wembley.
A smart pass from Will Smallbone slid Armstrong into the box, and he drilled a low shot past Illan Meslier – his fourth goal in three against Leeds this season.
Daniel Farke rang the changes throughout the second half to try and drag his side back into it, and one of his substitutes, Dan James, came so close to the equaliser on 84 minutes as he crashed a shot onto the underside of the crossbar before it bounced clear.
But there would be no equaliser as Saints marched back to the Premier League, and Leeds were condemned to a sixth defeat in six play-off attempts.