Manchester City will pocket a £20million windfall following Southampton’s promotion back to the Premier League.
Russell Martin’s side ended their year-long hiatus from the top-flight sealing a 1-0 victory against Leeds United in Sunday’s Championship play-off final.
While there was elation for Saints, Daniel Farke’s side dropped to their haunches at full time, having now failed to gain promotion to the Premier League in all six of their previous Championship play-off campaigns. Leeds have also lost in all three of their previous trips to Wembley.
Adam Armstrong’s first half strike proved decisive, with Leeds unable to find an equaliser – thanks in part to Saints’ resolute defensive display.
Jan Bednarek and Jack Stephens commanded the Saints’ backline with 22-year-old defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis also standing out as one of Southampton’s top performers.
Southampton secured promotion back to the Premier League after a year-long hiatus
![Adam Armstrong's decisive first half goal helped Saints beat Leeds 1-0 on Sunday afternoon in the Championship play-off final](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/27/11/85379233-0-Adam_Armstrong_s_decisive_first_half_goal_helped_Saints_beat_Lee-a-2_1716804174035.jpg)
Adam Armstrong’s decisive first half goal helped Saints beat Leeds 1-0 on Sunday afternoon in the Championship play-off final
![Pep Guardiola's Man City are now expected to receive a £20million windfall off the back of Saints' heroics](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/27/11/85378535-0-image-a-3_1716804176464.jpg)
Pep Guardiola’s Man City are now expected to receive a £20million windfall off the back of Saints’ heroics
All episodes
-
EPISODE 90: How Manchester United CAN win crunch FA Cup clash -
EPISODE 89: Why Manchester City aren’t the reason the League is boring -
‘It hasn’t worked!’ Is VAR the problem or the solution? -
EPISODE 87: Why United must tear down Old Trafford and move to Wembley -
PODCAST: How many Manchester United players get in the Arsenal team?
Harwood-Bellis joined the club on loan from Man City on transfer deadline day last summer and has been one of the signings of the season for Saints, returning two goals and four assists across 46 appearances for the club in all competitions.
Last season, the young defender had also helped Vincent Kompany’s Burnley win the Championship, following a dominant season that saw the Clarets amass over 100 points, losing just three matches.
Read More
THE NOTEBOOK: One famous face joins Southampton supporters in disguise during the play-off final while Archie Gray makes history and Leeds’ Wembley agony continues
Southampton’s promotion back to the top-flight has triggered a clause in his loan contract that will see Harwood-Bellis move permanently to St Mary’s this season.
As part of the arrangement, Saints will now pay City £20million for his services.
Harwood-Bellis, a graduate of City’s academy, stated that the prospect of staying at Southampton was a huge motivation to help his side seal the win on Sunday.
‘I’m over the moon. It had a massive edge to it knowing that I’m staying here permanently,’ he told Sky Sports.
‘It had a little bit more certainty to it. It had a little bit more certainty to it, knowing “give it everything and get promoted,”‘ he added.
![Taylor Harwood-Bellis (pictured) joined Southampton on loan from Man City last summer](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/27/10/85378563-13463701-image-a-10_1716803963502.jpg)
Taylor Harwood-Bellis (pictured) joined Southampton on loan from Man City last summer
![Harwood-Bellis (centre) will now permanently join City following Southampton's promotion](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/27/10/85378559-13463701-image-a-11_1716803967902.jpg)
Harwood-Bellis (centre) will now permanently join City following Southampton’s promotion
![The defender (left) was part of Vincent Kompany's Burnley side that sealed promotion last season](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/27/10/85378569-13463701-image-a-12_1716803971850.jpg)
The defender (left) was part of Vincent Kompany’s Burnley side that sealed promotion last season
![There was jubilation for Russell Martin (centre) and his side at full time after they beat Leeds](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/27/10/85378729-13463701-image-a-9_1716803914915.jpg)
There was jubilation for Russell Martin (centre) and his side at full time after they beat Leeds
![Leeds have failed to seal promotion through the play-offs in their last six attempts, with Daniel Farke (pictured) cutting a dejected figure at full time](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/27/11/85378625-13463767-Leeds_have_failed_to_seal_promotion_through_the_play_offs_in_the-a-14_1716804650950.jpg)
Leeds have failed to seal promotion through the play-offs in their last six attempts, with Daniel Farke (pictured) cutting a dejected figure at full time
‘I can’t tell you the feeling that I’ve got a contract here and that I’m now a Southampton player.’
He added: ‘I love the club – it’s a special football club and the fans are amazing.’
On comparing promotion with the Clarets to Sunday’s victory, he said: ‘It’s hard to speak about this year compared to last year. Another special football club.
‘Last year was unbelievable with a special football club and this year was completely different,’ he said. ‘Obviously coming to Wembley and not doing it automatically, I can’t describe that feeling of the final whistle – it’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life now.’
‘I know I’m permanently here now so I’m buzzing, I’m buzzing.’