Armstrong double sinks West Brom and sends Southampton to

From the rubble to the Ritz? The rousing pre-match welcome Southampton’s supporters gave their players left a wreckage of flares, smoke bombs, empties and cans but as fans exited a supercharged St Mary’s they left with a trip to Wembley to plan. Russell Martin’s side were given a heroes’ welcome and now they are one game from returning to the Premier League at the first time of asking, a date with Leeds to prepare for a week on Sunday. Will Smallbone settled any lingering nerves early in the second half before Adam Armstrong struck twice late on, firing in with a precise strike before sealing victory from the penalty spot.

Martin says the best day of his footballing life was captaining Norwich to the Premier League via the Championship playoff final in 2015 and Southampton made no attempt to play down the significance of the occasion.