In the early hours of May 18, the second leg of the Championship play-off semi-finals continued, with Southampton, who had drawn 0-0 with their opponents in the first leg, returning to host West Bromwich Albion. In the end, thanks to second-half goals from Smolburn and Adam Armstrong, Southampton beat their opponents 3-1 at home to reach the play-off final and will compete with Leeds United for the last place to the Premier League.
Southampton, like Leeds United, were relegated to the Championship at the end of last season's Premier League. After 46 rounds of league matches, Southampton is in fourth place with 87 points with 26 wins, 9 draws and 11 losses, 12 points higher than their opponent, West Bromwich Albion, who is ranked 5th.
In the first leg, the two sides drew 0-0 at West Bromwich Brom, with Southampton having 63 per cent possession but poor conversion rates, with just three of their 15 shots on target and one great chance to open the scoring. Back at St. Mary's Stadium, the team's top scorer Adam Armstrong, the team's meritorious veteran Sturt Armstrong, and midfielders Smallburn and Alibo all started the game.
After the start of the game, the superior "Saints" continued to control the situation on the field, giving six shots on goal in the first half, but the strikers' footwork was so poor that none of them could be converted into goals. At half-time, Southampton had no choice but to draw 0-0 with their opponents.
At the start of the second half, Southampton took advantage of an attacking opportunity to knock on the door. Southampton counterattack opportunity, Welsh striker Brooks broke through on the right and knocked cross, Smallburn shook the opposing defender in the penalty area, and then fired a right-footed shot into the near corner, 1-0! The 24-year-old Irish midfielder scored his seventh goal of the season and undoubtedly the most important one.
In the 82nd minute, Adam Armstrong scored the game-winning goal for Southampton, 2-0! Adam Armstrong's 22nd goal of the season.
In the 85th minute, Southampton won a penalty kick opportunity, Adam Armstrong pushed the ball into the top right corner of the goal, 3-0! Southampton head into the upcoming play-off final with a big win! Adam Armstrong also scored his 23rd goal of the season, second only to Blackburn's Smodich's 27 goals.
Before the end, West Brom scored a face-saving goal, 3-1! But there is no power to turn the tide on the field. Southampton beat West Brom 3-1 at home to reach the Championship play-off final, where they will face Leeds United, another side who were relegated from the Premier League last season, after beating Norwich 4-0 at home in the second leg of the semi-finals to reach the final.
The final will be played on May 26 in a single-legged format, with a tie in 90 minutes going to extra time. The winner between the two teams will return to the Premier League in a year's time, with a guaranteed minimum of £100 million in TV share and ranking prizes!