The Whites were not at their free-flowing offensive best at Wembley, losing 1-0 in the play-off final.
Leeds United looked surprisingly feeble under the Wembley limelight, despite scoring 85 goals during the Championship season and play-offs.
Once Southampton had taken the lead thanks to Adam Armstrong’s first-half goal, Daniel Farke’s team barely looked like changing the game’s pattern until Dan James was introduced. Even then, the Welshman’s rocket, which bounced off the crossbar, was the closest Leeds got.
While the Whites missed No. 9 Patrick Bamford at the head of their assault, it was notable how few clear-cut chances they generated, particularly from widemen Crysencio Summerville and Willy Gnonto. Both were substituted in the second half, with James and Jaidon Anthony taking on larger positions, hugging the touchline at times to open up the field.
Summerville has had a tremendous season, earning the Championship Player of the Year award, but his undeniable threat was neutralized by Southampton. Too often, he had to move inside to find the ball, where there was less room and less opportunities to employ his creative abilities.
It was a strategy that the Saints used effectively throughout the game, with Ryan Fraser keeping Gnonto quiet on the opposing flank. Southampton defender Kyle Walker-Peters, who ended up colliding heads with James as the battle escalated, stated that Russell Martin had pounded it into them.
“We are playing against a really top team,” a bandaged Walker-Peters told reporters at Wembley Stadium. “We know how good their front four are.
“For me, I’m up against Summerville. I knew I had to be on top of my game, so that was our goal all week: stop their front four, and we knew we had the talent to win the game.”
It’s something Leeds will have to be mindful of next season, though whether the bulk of Championship teams can keep Leeds quiet like Southampton did is highly unlikely. The same can be said for Leeds’ ability to keep all of their top players at Elland Road.
