Just 33 days separated Russell Martin’s darkest day in management from his greatest. Little over a month ago, the Southampton boss slumped into a chair at Leicester’s King Power Stadium and told the media room how his team were ‘pathetic’.
After an arduous, bipolar campaign of ups and downs, from 25-match unbeaten streaks to his own fans doubting his style, Martin’s men had just waved the white flag in the automatic promotion race, being thumped 5-0 by the Foxes.
‘I did not like what I saw from my team one bit,’ he said, looking like he had run out of puff. ‘Body language, arms up in the air. It’s inexcusable. Players need to show love for each other, I’m fed up with doing it.
‘They need to feel some pain and the same pain that I’m feeling right now, and the hurt that I’m feeling. It’s pathetic. This result and performance is not on. How much do we really want to win promotion? How much do we care?’
Fast-forward a month, that pain was replaced by euphoria. The arms in the air were no longer in complaint but in ecstasy, as the players darted towards their jubilant fans to celebrate. The lack of caring was now a warrior-like team performance and a richly deserved promotion.
Southampton have ensured their return to the Premier League after winning the play-off final
Adam Armstrong (centre, front) scored the Saints’ winner against Leeds United on Sunday
The 27-year-old was sent through on goal and made no mistake in finding the back of the net
Leeds’ play-off hoodoo – which has seen them lose four finals – continued with Sunday’s defeat
Saints boss Russell Martin lifts the play-off trophy in front of the travelling Southampton fans
Whether that frustrated post-match address to the media was a rallying cry by design or not, it certainly worked. Saints put in a tactical masterclass and produced a fearless display that preyed on the mental frailties and nerves of Leeds stars haunted by past failures.
Adam Armstrong will take the headlines for his first-half goal, a prolific finish after a clever run off the ball, but every man in red and white deserves plaudits. No 2 goalkeeper Alex McCarthy stood tall when needed – not until second-half stoppage time – and the midfield was imperious.
No one came out of the game better than Martin, the 38-year-old boss on a redemption mission. The man to his left in the dugouts, Daniel Farke, set in motion the end of his playing career. When the German took over at Norwich, he jettisoned club captain and fan favourite Martin.
Publicly, Brighton-born Martin insists there is no bad blood between the pair – but victory must have tasted somewhat sweeter noting his history with Farke. They had a cordial handshake at full-time and then Martin sprinted to the red half of Wembley with his arms outstretched.
He deserved his moment in the spotlight – not just for this gameplan. At times this season, he has been criticised for his playing style being too methodical, robotic and structured. But Martin, a vegan and Buddhist, stuck by his principles and they paid off in abundance.
As for Leeds, who saw this coming? Well, pretty much every fan in their pessimistic number who travelled in their bucket loads and swarmed central London. Kings Cross underground station was briefly closed due to flares set alight by supporters.
But they were the only sparks from those in Leeds colours here. This was their sixth play-off campaign that ultimately ended in heartache – even serial promotion winner Farke unable to stop the so-called hoodoo.
Leeds, who have been so brilliant throughout 2023-24, fell just short of reaching the top-flight
Daniel Farke watched on his side were unable to find a goal against the Saints at Wembley
They were sloppy in possession, second best in the midfield battle and toothless when they managed to work the ball into dangerous positions. Dan James hit the bar but, aside from that, Saints keeper McCarthy did not make a meaningful save until second-half stoppage time.
Leeds fans poked fun at Rishi Sunak, the so-called Southampton fan, but by the end their gloomy expressions resembled what the prime minister might look like come early July if the general election goes as the bookmakers expect.
Sunak was not in the crowd but fellow Saints supporter Matt Le Tissier was. Now a conspiracy theorist, even he would have believed his eyes when his team picked apart Leeds to take the lead after 24 minutes, a team move seen many times – straight from the Martin playbook.
As was the case with so many attacks, the move was started by Taylor Harwood-Bellis, the Manchester City loanee who will now sign on a permanent deal worth £20million. ‘I don’t know how much we have paid for him but whatever it is, it will be worth it,’ said Martin.
The boss added that Harwood-Bellis will go on to play for England many times. The former Three Lions Under 21s skipper started the move with a punchy pass, then midfield maestro Will Smallbone poked a pass through to Armstrong.
When he took a touch to steady himself, there was no doubting what was coming next, as Armstrong scored his 24th goal of a stellar season with a drilled finish across the face of Illan Meslier’s goal.
That was his 37th goal involvement of the campaign – also 13 assists – and he almost added another in first-half stoppage time. Smallbone again was the provider but this time Meslier got down to deny Armstrong, albeit his parry was not convincing and needed Joe Rodon to clear up.
Leeds got into some nice areas but their expensively-assembled forward line failed to show up and they had just one shot on target inside the first 70 minutes. With financial worries, it will be interesting to see how many of the attacking stars who started today are still here in August.
Crysencio Summerville almost certainly will not be, while teen starlet Archie Gray is wanted by many big clubs. He is a boyhood Leeds fan and might stay because of that but the club will likely be forced to cash in on at least one key asset this summer.
Armstrong took his tally for the campaign up to 24 goals with his strike in the 24th minute
The Saints supporters in Wembley were sent into a wild frenzy after Armstrong found the net
Leeds deserve criticism but they were nullified by Southampton, who adopted a five-at-the-back shape when defending. Saints were saved by the width of the woodwork on 84 minutes when James rattled the crossbar but, other than that, this was a steely defensive display.
Farke’s side started to throw men forward but it was too little, too late. McCarthy denied James and £35.5m man Georginio Rutter shanked one over the bar. By this point, Armstrong had his shirt off to celebrate winning a free-kick which he mistook for the final whistle.
But whatever questions Leeds asked – regretfully for them, not enough – Saints had the answers. After 102 minutes of battling, and 48 league games before that including the play-offs, Southampton were finally back in the promised land.
‘I feel immense pride in what we achieved,’ said Martin. ‘I was not a sexy appointment. But they were brave enough to give me the opportunity, I hope we have repaid them with a day they will remember for ever. I feel nothing but gratitude and a lot of love for the people.’
