Sport nationLeeds United’s promotion dreams were shattered as they suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Southampton in the Championship play-off final at Wembley. Despite a strong start, Leeds gifted Adam Armstrong the freedom of Wembley in the 24th minute, and he made no mistake, scoring his 24th goal of the season.
From that moment on, it was an uphill battle for Leeds, as Southampton defended resolutely and limited their opponents’ chances. Despite bossing possession, Leeds struggled to create clear-cut opportunities, and their only notable chance came late on when substitute Daniel James rattled the crossbar. This player alongside Rodon may appear to have cost leeds the promottiln.
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke was gracious in defeat, praising Southampton’s clinical finishing and effective defending. “As you can imagine, we’re suffering a lot in this moment and deeply disappointed,” he said. “Once you come so close, after 90 points, really good play-offs [semi-final] against Norwich and today I can’t really say we were the worst side in this final, it hurts a lot.”
Farke acknowledged that his team’s decision-making in the first half was not top-class, but refused to criticize his players, citing their youth and inexperience. “When you have a game where you don’t score, yes offensive players could have been more effective. Our decision making in the first half wasn’t top class, especially in the first half, when we could play a final pass we were not precise or tidy enough or we weren’t 100 per cent committed to the pass or finish.”
He also pointed to specific moments where Leeds could have drawn level, such as Joe Rodon’s run into the box and James’ shot off the woodwork. “If Rodon passes the ball to Piroe he rolls it into an empty goal. Dan James hits the crossbar. It bounces not over the line but in front of the line and it’s not a goal and you get the feeling it was not to be.”
The full-time whistle prompted an outpouring of emotion from the Leeds players, with many in tears. Farke admitted that the dressing room was a somber place, but vowed to use this experience as fuel for next season. “To be honest after you lose a final and everyone goes into the summer break and it’s too early for upbeat messages, no one wants to hear it. Many tears on the pitch and the dressing room. Ninety points, the way we played the play-offs and the final, there’s no reason to dwell on it. You have to take it as extra motivation to make sure these supporters, today they were second to none in this country, have a day they deserve to celebrate and to enjoy such a day.”
Farke praised the Leeds fans, who were vocal and supportive throughout the game. “We feel the pain today and we’re deeply disappointed not to send them home with something to cheer about and not back in the promised land where we wanted to be. To be allowed to call yourself a Premier League side, it’s something we want to celebrate.”
Despite the disappointment, Farke remains committed to his young squad and is confident that they will learn from this experience and come back stronger next season. “We have a look at how young my forwards are. Armstrong knows this league, he has this one situation, he’s really fully on it and is there with a clinical strike. That was the difference. It’s not the day to criticise my offensive lads too much.”
The defeat was a bitter pill to swallow for Leeds, who had been hoping to return to the Premier League after a three-year absence. However, they can take heart from their impressive season and the progress they have made under Farke’s leadership. With a young and talented squad, Leeds will be hoping to bounce back next season and make another push for promotion.
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