Roundup of 2023-24 Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs to determine the final promotion spot.
With Leicester and Ipswich already promoted, Leeds United, Southampton, West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City participated in this season’s promotion play-offs to determine the third promoted team.
In the Play-Off semi-finals, Daniel Farke’s Leeds faced his former team, Norwich who were looking to end their two-season absence from the Premier League.
Southampton meanwhile looked for instant promotion to the top-flight as they faced West Brom for a spot in the Play-Off Final.
Play-Off Semi-Finals
Norwich 0-4 Leeds
A dull first leg at Carrow Road saw Norwich hold Leeds to a goalless draw in a game which saw just three of 10 shots in total converted onto target.
Leeds however stormed to victory on aggregate with 4-0 win at home in the second leg, as Ilia Gruev’s seventh minute free-kick put the Whites in front, before Joel Piroe’s header doubled their lead followed by goals from Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville.
That result led Norwich to sack David Wagner less than 24 hours later.
West Brom 1-3 Southampton
A competitive yet scrappy first leg saw five of 19 shots converted onto target as West Brom held Southampton to a goalless draw at The Hawthorns.
Will Smallbone’s 49th minute strike however broke the deadlock in the 49th minute of the second leg at St Mary’s Stadium, before Adam Armstrong’s brace sealed the Saints’ place in the Play-Off Final with an eventual 3-1 win as Cedric Kipre pulled a consolatory header back for the Baggies.
Play-Off Final
Southampton’s semi-final legs heroes combined to score the winning goal to send the Saints up with a 1-0 win over Leeds at Wembley, as Smallbone fed a pass through for Armstrong to rifle across into the far-bottom left corner.
Leave a Reply