THE NOTEBOOK: One famous face joins Southampton supporters in disguise during the play-off final while Archie Gray makes history and Leeds’ Wembley agony continues

Southampton returned to the Premier League at the first time of asking after beating Leeds United in the Championship play-off final at Wembley on Sunday.

Adam Armstrong settled the tense showdown after being played through by Will Smallbone in the first half and tucking a neat finish into the far corner.

Leeds substitute Daniel James clattered a powerful effort off the crossbar in the closing stages and also forced a smart stop from Saints goalkeeper Alex McCarthy.

The final whistle sounded shortly after with Saints banking an estimated £180million windfall – while the Whites must settle for another campaign in the second tier. 

Mail Sport‘s AADAM PATEL takes a look at what you might have missed…

Russell Martin steered Saints back to the top-flight at the first time of asking after the 1-0 win

FANCY THAT, AARON! 

Wembley was packed for the second time in two days with plenty of famous faces in the stands. There was a notable name in the Southampton end with Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale in Hagrid from Harry Potter fancy dress. 

Ramsdale, a West Brom supporter, was there to cheer on his friend David Brooks. Brooks’ participation ended early, as he was forced off in tears following a nasty collision in the first half. 

It was only a year ago that he made his return to football following a cancer diagnosis but there were smiles all round afterwards as Brooks joined in Saints’ celebrations with his arm in a sling.

Darts world champion Luke Humphries, who was named by his dad after the acronym ‘Leeds United Kings of Europe’ was also at Wembley and this marked the end of a tough week for him after he was beaten by Luke Littler in the Premier League Darts final on Thursday. 

Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale wore a Hagrid costume and was spotted in the Saints end

ANOTHER GRAY RECORD 

Archie Gray became the youngest Leeds player to feature at Wembley at the age of 18 years and 75 days. No prizes for guessing the youngest before him. None other than his dad, Andy Gray, who was 18 years and 135 days old in 1996 and was at Wembley to see his son. 

Archie Gray became the youngest Leeds player to feature at Wembley, beating his dad’s feat

PLAY-OFF HOODOO 

Leeds have now lost four play-off finals, adding to failures in 1987, 2006 and 2008. That’s the most any team has played without winning one. A grim record. Leeds have lost their last three finals at Wembley without scoring and have been unsuccessful in all six of their play-off campaigns. 

Leeds have lost their last three finals at Wembley and fallen short in all six play-off campaigns

NOT-SO DIRTY LEEDS? 

Dirty Leeds? Not any more. Leeds finished the season with the fewest bookings in the second tier. Southampton, though, are one of six teams with more than 100 bookings and had twice as many yellow cards (six) as Leeds in the final.