Southampton move east of West Brom to book a play-off final clash against Leeds United

Southampton moved a step closer to returning to the Premier League with a 3-1 win at home to West Bromwich Albion in the second leg of their EFL Championship play-off semi-final on Friday to reach the final 3-1 on aggregate .

Russell Martin’s side will face Leeds United, who beat Norwich City 4-0 on Thursday, at Wembley on May 26 for a place in the top flight.

After dominating the first half, Southampton took the lead four minutes after the break when Will Smallbone fired in off the post following a counter-attack.

“What a win. It was a tough game, West Brom are a tough side,” said Smallbone Sky Sports.

“The manager has put a lot of faith in me this year and I can’t say enough about what he’s done for me and my career. It’s been my dream to be here playing for as long as I can remember and to do it right now is amazing.”

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The Championship’s second top scorer Adam Armstrong extended the lead with a low strike in the 78th minute before sealing the goal from the penalty spot four minutes from time.

“It’s amazing and something we’ve been working towards all year, to get back into the Premier League. We were gutted not to be in the top two, but if we can go up like that, what a way it will be,” Armstrong said.

Cedric Kipre grabbed a consolation for West Brom with a last-gasp header.

Leicester City and Ipswich Town earned automatic promotion to the Premier League after finishing as winners and runners-up.