Hilarious moment Adam Armstrong took his shirt off and prematurely celebrated Southampton’s play-off final victory over Leeds… after thinking that the referee had blown for full-time
- Armstrong scored the winner in the play-off final against Southampton on Sunday
- The striker thought the whistle had blown and celebrated exuberantly
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Southampton’s play-off final winner Adam Armstrong was hilariously caught prematurely as he celebrated their return to the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
The Saints booked their place in the top flight next season after a 1-0 win over Daniel Farke’s Leeds United – thanks to a first-half goal from Armstrong.
The 27-year-old scored his 24th goal of the 2023-2024 season after running through on 25 minutes and smashing his effort into the bottom corner of the goal.
The tension continued for the rest of the match and in the final moments Armstrong mistakenly thought the referees had blown full-time.
In a clip that appeared on Xthe Saints star was seen taking off his shirt, running towards the fans and pumping his fists in the air – before realizing the whistle was a foul.
Adam Armstrong (above) was caught prematurely celebrating Southampton’s Play-Off final victory
The Saints star took off his shirt and ran towards the fans after he thought the referee blew full-time
Armstrong quickly turned around and put his shirt back on before playing the final moments of the clash.
The striker’s unhappiness is somewhat understandable as only nine minutes had been added, but further delays saw the match reach the 101st minute.
Armstrong’s first-half strike secured a thrilling 1-0 win for Saints at Wembley and earned them an unprecedented payday of £180 million.
The striker timed his run to perfection to meet Will Smallbone’s pass and put his 24th (and most important) goal of the season into the far corner.
Leeds pushed for an equalizer after the break, but Crysencio Summerville and Willy Gnonto squandered golden opportunities to save their top dream.
Armstrong rode off to celebrate, leaving his teammates and the opponent stunned
Substitute Daniel James blasted a powerful effort off the crossbar seven minutes from time and saw a later effort saved as the Whites piled on the pressure.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Armstrong said: ‘I don’t know what to say. That’s what we’ve been working for all year, we know how good the championship has been this year.
‘What a way to go up! I saw the space beyond [for the goal] and I knew if I threw it over the goal it would go in, so it was a fun one.
‘It means everything. The gaffer and his staff came in in pre-season and wrote down what they wanted to see, and look at this.
The Saints were promoted back to the Premier League on Sunday after a 1-0 win over Leeds
“This is why we are footballers, we want to be involved in the biggest games.”
Just 12 months ago, Southampton, owned by Serbian media mogul Dragan Solak, finished bottom of the Premier League, 11 points adrift of safety.
Leeds had also entered the Championship after finishing 19th.
However, both clubs had to settle for the play-offs this season, despite aiming for the automatic places. Leeds finished third, ahead of fourth-placed Saints.