Play-off final confirmed as Saints beat Baggies to set up Leeds clash at Wembley

Southampton edged past West Brom to book their place in the Championship play-off final, winning 3-1 on aggregate.

The two teams met at the Hawthorns on Sunday in the first leg, drawing 0-0. It meant that everything was left to play in St. Mary’s, where Saints had the better of the opening 45 minutes without really testing the Baggies.

That all changed after half-time as they took the lead, pouncing on a defensive error when David Brooks set up Will Smallbone. The midfielder took aim from just inside the area, firing in at the near post to make it 1-0 just four minutes after the restart.

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West Brom improved soon after but should have awarded a penalty shortly after falling behind. The hosts doubled their lead on 78 minutes, however, as former Ipswich Town midfielder Flynn Downes set up Adam Armstrong to make it 2-0.

Southampton wrapped up the win with five minutes remaining when Tom Fellows brought down Ryan Manning in the box, allowing Armstrong to brace from the spot.

Cedric Kipre headed home from a deep corner in stoppage time, but it was too little, too late.

The result means Russell Martin’s men will head to Wembley to face Leeds United, who beat Norwich City 4-0 at Elland Road last night. The Whites ended the season in third place with 90 points, while the Saints finished one place behind them with 87 points.

That said, Daniel Farke’s men were beaten in both games between the two sides, losing 3-1 on the South Coast and 2-1 in Yorkshire.

Whoever wins in the capital on May 26 will join Leicester City and Ipswich in the Premier League, meaning two of the three teams relegated from the table last season will return at the first time of asking. Blues are the only exception.