Southampton promoted to Premier League with playoff win over Leeds

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.