Russell Martin got the better of his old Norwich City boss Daniel Farke at Wembley to earn promotion to the Premier League as Southampton beat Leeds United 1-0. 

Adam Armstrong's first-half strike was enough to secure a top-flight return at the first time of asking for Martin's Saints after a fourth-placed finish in the regular campaign. 

Martin, who joined Southampton from Swansea last summer, saw his eight-year spell at Carrow Road ended by Farke, who won two titles during his spell as head coach at Norwich. Rumours of their relationship have swirled ever since, but both men spoke glowingly about each other in the build-up to this final. 

Southampton got the better of Leeds twice over the regular campaign, and that superiority in the fixture continued at Wembley to earn them promotion back to the top-flight. 

Play-off success is not unfamiliar for Martin, who lifted the trophy at Wembley as City's captain after a 2-0 victory over Middlesbrough in 2015. This is his first promotion since swapping playing for management. 

Leeds started the contest brightly but struggled to convert that dominance into clear-cut opportunities. Across the 90 minutes, Farke's side mustered just two shots on target at Alex McCarthy's goal. 

The game shifted upon Willy Gnoto's withdrawal with a back injury, with Leeds struggling to break down a sturdy Southampton defensive block for extensive periods of the contest. 

Saints opened the scoring after 24 minutes, when Will Smallbone played Armstrong in behind, with the 27-year-old beating the offside trap before finishing calmly to open the scoring. 

The Pink Un: Daniel Farke saw his Leeds United team fall short at Wembley. Daniel Farke saw his Leeds United team fall short at Wembley. (Image: PA Images)

Leeds huffed and puffed in pursuit of an equaliser, with Dan James seeing a thunderous volley deflect off the underside of the bar and bounce away from goal late on. The defeat consigns Farke's side to another year of Championship football despite recording 90 points. 

They beat Norwich 4-0 in the second leg to secure their place at Wembley but failed to display the same attacking verve on the big occasion. 

The result has confirmed the make-up of the Championship for the 2024/25 campaign - with the fixtures being announced on Wednesday 26 June at 9:00am as City learn their full calendar for the new season.