Sky Bet Championship
Leeds United 1 (Piroe 21’)
Southampton 2 (Armstrong 18’, Smallbone 35’)
Leeds: Meslier (GK), Firpo, Ampadu (C), Kamara (Gray 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 Road
Attendance: 36,766
Leeds United lost at home to Southampton on Saturday lunchtime, with all three goals coming in the first half at Elland Road.
When the two teams had met earlier in the season at St Mary’s, a match which saw a battling encounter throughout, it went the way of the hosts.
This time around, Daniel Farke’s side created the early openings, but the visitors stood firm from multiple set-play chances.
When the Saints came forward themselves, they had shots from range. Will Smallbone was the first to shoot, before moments later, Taylor Harwood-Bellis dragged an effort wide of the post.
When Alex McCarthy was tested between the posts for the away side, it came from Junior Firpo. A wide free-kick saw the fullback shoot at goal, which the ‘keeper tipped over the bar. Straight down the other end, Illan Meslier was then called into action, saving well from Smallbone.
In the 18th minute, Southampton took the lead. Che Adams created room on the left and crossed into the box, where Adam Armstrong was free to smash home first time.
Leeds hit back instantly though and were on level terms straightaway. Having done well to initially win the ball high up the pitch, Joel Piroe pounced on a mistake from Harwood-Bellis and smashed home right-footed into the far corner.
Southampton would then retake the lead 10 minutes before the break. Kyle Walker-Peters broke free down the right and pulled the ball back to Smallbone, who turned home from close range.
Before the whistle was blown for half-time, further chances did come. Willy Gnonto was found well by Crysencio Summerville, but he struck just wide. Then Harwood-Bellis met a Ryan Manning ball into the box but could only find the top of the crossbar.
HALF TIME: Leeds United 1-2 Southampton
Back out for the second 45 minutes on this final day of the regular campaign at Elland Road, the Saints had made a switch with Ryan Fraser coming on for Manning, whilst Leeds remained with the same XI which began the game.
Around the hour mark and with no change in the scoreline, the Whites made a triple change. Mateo Joseph, Jaidon Anthony and Archie Gray all entered, replacing Georginio Rutter, Glen Kamara and Gnonto.
Leeds saw plenty of possession and did create chances, but saw Southampton defending deep around their box to hold onto the lead that they had created in the first 45 minutes.
Both Firpo and Summerville had shots on the away goal but each time they were dealt with, before Summerville again had a strike from a free-kick and Anthony fired the follow up wide, as Leeds pushed for a leveller.
Despite the best efforts of both teams, there were no further goals in the second half, which meant Southampton went away with the three points at Elland Road.
Today’s result will now see both teams enter the play-offs. Leeds face Norwich City away from home on Sunday 12th May, before returning to Elland Road for the home leg on Thursday 16th May. The Saints will take on West Bromwich Albion, as both teams look to secure a passage to Wembley for the final.
FULL TIME: Leeds United 1-2 Southampton
Sophie Anderson, a UK-based writer, is your guide to the latest trends, viral sensations, and internet phenomena. With a finger on the pulse of digital culture, she explores what’s trending across social media and pop culture, keeping readers in the know about the latest online sensations.
