Southampton won promotion to the Premier League by beating Leeds United 1-0 in the Championship playoff final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, earning an immediate return to England’s top tier.
Adam Armstrong was the match-winner, in the game considered the richest in world football, as his first-half goal was enough to see off a Leeds side that struggled to muster a meaningful response, with substitute Daniel James coming closest when his shot hit the bar late in the second half.
Southampton join Championship winners Leicester City and runners-up Ipswich Town in the Premier League next season, the latter promoted after a 22-year absence from the top flight, while the Foxes, like Saints, went up at the first attempt.
Southampton got the decisive goal after 24 minutes when Armstrong latched onto a through ball by Will Smallbone and slid it past keeper Illan Meslier for his 24th goal of the season.
Promotion means Saints are set to receive a windfall of at least AED 655 million ($178.36 million), according to analysis from Deloitte’s Sports Business Group.
Romania stun Ukraine with first Euro win in 24 years
DeChambeau outlasts McIlroy to win US Open
Bellingham stars as England defeat Serbia
Murray set for Olympics as Raducanu rejects wildcard entry
Italy see off Albania after record early scare
