Sky Guess Championship
Leeds United 1 (Piroe 21’)
Southampton 2 (Armstrong 18’, Smallbone 35’)
Leeds: Meslier (GK), Firpo, Ampadu (C), Kamara (Grey 62’), Piroe, Summerville, Rodon, Georginio (Joseph 62’), Byram (Roberts 78’), Gnonto (Anthony 62’), Gruev (Gelhardt 82’). Subs not used: Darlow (GK), Cresswell, Cooper, Shackleton.
Southampton: McCarthy (GK), Walker-Peters (Bree 83’), Manning (Fraser 45’), Downes (Rothwell 68’), Stephens (C), Aribo, Armstrong (Stewart 83’), Adams (Sulemana 61’), Smallbone, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek. Subs not used: Lumley (GK), Edozie, Charles, Brooks.
Referee: Matthew Donohue
Booked: Gnonto, Firpo, Gruev, Piroe (Leeds) Manning, Bednarek, Rothwell (Southampton)
Venue: Elland Street
Attendance: 36,766
Leeds United misplaced at residence to Southampton on Saturday lunchtime, with all three targets coming within the first half at Elland Street.
When the 2 groups had met earlier within the season at St Mary’s, a match which noticed a battling encounter all through, it went the way in which of the hosts.
This time round, Daniel Farke’s facet created the early openings, however the guests stood agency from a number of set-play probabilities.
When the Saints got here ahead themselves, that they had photographs from vary. Will Smallbone was the primary to shoot, earlier than moments later, Taylor Harwood-Bellis dragged an effort huge of the put up.
When Alex McCarthy was examined between the posts for the away facet, it got here from Junior Firpo. A large free-kick noticed the fullback shoot at purpose, which the ‘keeper tipped over the bar. Straight down the opposite finish, Illan Meslier was then known as into motion, saving nicely from Smallbone.
Within the 18th minute, Southampton took the lead. Che Adams created room on the left and crossed into the field, the place Adam Armstrong was free to smash residence first time.
Leeds hit again immediately although and had been on stage phrases straightaway. Having accomplished nicely to initially win the ball excessive up the pitch, Joel Piroe pounced on a mistake from Harwood-Bellis and smashed residence right-footed into the far nook.
Southampton would then retake the lead 10 minutes earlier than the break. Kyle Walker-Peters broke free down the fitting and pulled the ball again to Smallbone, who turned residence from shut vary.
Earlier than the whistle was blown for half-time, additional probabilities did come. Willy Gnonto was discovered nicely by Crysencio Summerville, however he struck simply huge. Then Harwood-Bellis met a Ryan Manning ball into the field however may solely discover the highest of the crossbar.
HALF TIME: Leeds United 1-2 Southampton
Again out for the second 45 minutes on this last day of the common marketing campaign at Elland Street, the Saints had made a swap with Ryan Fraser approaching for Manning, while Leeds remained with the identical XI which started the sport.
Across the hour mark and with no change within the scoreline, the Whites made a triple change. Mateo Joseph, Jaidon Anthony and Archie Grey all entered, changing Georginio Rutter, Glen Kamara and Gnonto.
Leeds noticed loads of possession and did create probabilities, however noticed Southampton defending deep round their field to carry onto the lead that that they had created within the first 45 minutes.
Each Firpo and Summerville had photographs on the away purpose however every time they had been handled, earlier than Summerville once more had a strike from a free-kick and Anthony fired the observe up huge, as Leeds pushed for a leveller.
Regardless of the perfect efforts of each groups, there have been no additional targets within the second half, which meant Southampton went away with the three factors at Elland Street.
Right now’s outcome will now see each groups enter the play-offs. Leeds face Norwich Metropolis away from residence on Sunday twelfth Could, earlier than returning to Elland Street for the house leg on Thursday sixteenth Could. The Saints will tackle West Bromwich Albion, as each groups look to safe a passage to Wembley for the ultimate.
FULL TIME: Leeds United 1-2 Southampton