FOR Rishi Sunak, a rare scent of victory - but for Leeds United, perennial black sheep of the playoffs, another shattering taste of eeh bah glum.
In monsoon conditions ideal for calling a General Election without a brolly, Adam Armstrong's deadly Wembley finish restored Southampton to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
The Prime Minister-born in Southampton and a drop-in Saints fan - missed a measured display in the £200m promotion shoot-out.
In front of Hollywood royalty Dustin Hoffman Rain Man himself - a tense spectacle began in a downpour but ended with Saints back in the sunlit uplands.
For the 11th time since 2004, the world's richest game of club football was settled by a single goal.
Southampton head coach Russell Martin's game plan was spot-on and his players executed it to perfection.
Their back five never yielded an inch, with the outstanding Kyle Walker-Peters keeping Crysencio Summerville so quiet that the Championship player of the year was hooked after 73 minutes.
This story is from the May 27, 2024 edition of Daily Star.
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This story is from the May 27, 2024 edition of Daily Star.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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