Southampton will face Leeds United for a place back in the Premier League after an impressive display saw them overcome West Bromwich Albion.
Adam Armstrong scored twice as Saints prevailed 3-1 in the second leg of the EFL Championship play-off semi-final.
After a goalless first leg, it stayed 0-0 at half-time at St. Mary’s before Russell Martin’s side turned the screw.
And after what has been a battling campaign back in the Championship, Martin knows his side have what it takes to make an instant return to the top flight.
‘Proud’ Martin praises Saints
The hosts dominated almost for the entirety of the tie in front of their buoyant home fans.
And Saints had to be patient to get the breakthrough, with West Brom’s stern defence holding firm until early in the second half.
Speaking after the game, Southampton boss Martin was full of praise for his side.
He said: “The players were amazing. I’m really proud of them. In the first half we were good, in the second half they were incredible. They freed up a little bit.
“We made some tweaks to things and they carried it out so well. Some of the football was amazing.
“We were up against a really good team and a top coach in Carlos (Corboran). But in the end I feel like we got what we deserved.
“Now we have to get there [promotion] for it to mean anything. It all leads into the big one.
“If we can play with the same courage and intensity as tonight we’ll give ourselves a chance. It’s one we can enjoy tonight and be a bit relieved. But then it’s about getting ready.”
Smallbone steps up and impresses
It was always going to take something special to break the deadlock in this semi-final tie, and academy graduate Will Smallbone produced just that.
His strike paved the way for Saints to seal a comfortable win on the night to book their place at Wembley a week Sunday.
“When the fans sing his name, I feel emotional for Will (Smallbone)," said Martin.
“He’s so desperate to play for his club. It’s his club. He’s had some tough moments in his short career so far.
“He’s an amazing human being, and watching him grow this season has been one of the biggest privileges so far of my managerial career.
“He’s been so important for us. He’s selfless, he’s a brilliant team-mate and he’s growing in importance all of the time.
“He has the capability to be a really top player and I’m proud of him.”
And Smallbone repaid the compliments when asked about his manager by Sky Sports, he said:
”The manager’s put a lot of faith in me this year and I can’t speak highly enough of what he’s done for me and my career.
“It’s been my dream to be here playing for as long as I can remember and to do it right now is amazing.”
Adams risk ‘outweighed the reward’
One notable absentee was Saints forward Che Adams, but Martin explained that the Scottish international will be ready ‘in some capacity’ for the Championship play-off final.
The 27-year-old has had issues with a tight calf in the last week, with the striker missing out of the squad at The Hawthorns before being an unused substitute at St. Mary’s.
Asked if Adams will be available against Leeds United on 26th May, the Saints boss said: “Yeah, he will be for sure. He will be involved. Whether that’s starting or on the bench, he will definitely, definitely be involved.
“For him, the risk did outweigh the reward in the end because he still felt a little something.
“Fair play to him, he said he would try. He said ‘If I’m needed, I’ll give you ten minutes off the bench or whatever.
“He will be ready in some capacity for the final.”
Supporters ‘really played their part’
Saints boss Martin also declared his pride for the supporters as they booked their date at Wembley.
Unprecedented scenes welcomed the team to St. Mary’s ahead of the match, as thousands packed the streets with pyrotechnics.
Speaking after the victory, Martin said: “I’m really grateful to the players and fans and I’m really proud.
“I loved the energy of the team, the welcome from the fans when we came in – I’ve not seen anything like that.
“They were amazing, they really played their part tonight so I’m really grateful to the supporters for that. Honestly, it was incredible.
“There were a lot of emotional people on the bus seeing that on the way in and that set the tone really. It made the team talk really easy.”
