Carlos Corberan highlighted West Brom’s defensive resilience after fifth-placed West Brom secured a 1-1 draw at fellow promotion chasers Hull.
The Baggies looked up against it after 35 minutes when Fabio Carvalho scored an elite goal from distance that swerved into the top-left corner.
But Corberan’s men responded manfully and equalised after 43 minutes after Darnell Furlong’s header off Jed Wallace’s corner looped over Ryan Allsop.
Corberan said: “A point was the fair result for what both teams created on the pitch.
“We both had similar types of chances and a similar number of chances.
“When you don’t win the game, it’s important not to lose.
“I think that the quality of players Hull has right now made it difficult for us and we needed to concentrate in defence to get something.
“Our defence was key to getting something out of the game, but we need to improve in two key parts: don’t concede possession and create chances.”
Sixth-placed Hull had won their last three games and would have moved above West Brom in the table with victory.
But, perhaps surprisingly, the visitors were quicker into their stride and struck the crossbar after 20 minutes through Jed Wallace.
Carvalho’s dipping opener, which did goalkeeper Alex Palmer for pace and zip, therefore came as a shock to Corberan.
But the Baggies retained a healthy tempo before the restart and equalised when Furlong evaded his marker and powerfully headed home.
Both sides struck a post after the restart, but Corberan conceded that a draw was a fair result.
He said: “We tried to be aggressive and to stop them playing from the back and we did that well.
“We had some good possibilities that could have given us something else (more goals), but they had a big chance in the second half, too.
“It was important not to lose, but it was also important that the players gave everything.
“They have a lot of quality players, and Carvalho showed the danger that he has.
“In open play we were fantastic, but we still need to increase our levels of concentration.
“We are going to work even harder, keep improving and increasing the details.
“This year the competition for the play-off positions is going to be very tight. I think there are four very strong teams that have made a gap, but the key for me is to keep going and to keep improving.”
Counterpart Liam Rosenior was unhappy by the manner in which West Brom scored and challenged his players to become more streetwise in key moments.
He said: “I just want to win every game that we play, but if you can’t win, don’t lose – it doesn’t matter at what stage of the season.
“We put ourselves in a strong position against a really organised team, but these games are about fine margins.
“We are a young team but with two minutes before half-time we should have kicked the ball out into touch – and then we conceded a corner.
“That period between Fabio’s goal and their goal, we were in control of the game, but in football it is about managing moments and we didn’t do that, which was frustrating.
“We just need to learn from the mistakes, but I can’t fault players in terms of engagement, energy levels and commitment.
“If that continues, I think we’re in a really strong position.”
Rosenior added: “I love the expectation, but we have to remember where we came from.
“It’s a process, and we’re not going to get it right every week.
“We just need to keep moving in the right direction and stay calm.
“We’re in are really good spot. We need to stay consistent, stay calm and ignore the noise.
“We’ll keep playing the way we believe – this could be a really good point for us.”
'Sometimes, it's not meant to be' - Farke magnanimous after Leeds miss out on promotion
Daniel Farke conceded "it wasn't meant to be" for Leeds United, following their Championship play-off final defeat by Southampton.
Farke's side missed out on an immediate return to the Premier League, as Adam Armstrong's first-half strike was enough to settle the contest at Wembley.
Leeds controlled large periods of the final and went agonisingly close to equalising later on when Daniel James rattled the crossbar, but they must now prepare for another season back in the Championship.
Nevertheless Farke, who missed out on becoming the third manager to win three promotions to the Premier League, was gracious in defeat.
"It's football. Congratulations to Southampton, they were able to be effective today," he told Sky Sports. "We had more possession, more shots and dominated the game in many spells, but they defended very well.
"It's always important to be good in both boxes. We started the game totally on the front foot and had many good situations but, in the final third, we weren't always precise with the final pass.
"We tried everything in the second half. Daniel [James] hit the crossbar. Sometimes, it's not meant to be. It's hard today because we are all suffering and are so disappointed. It's a difficult day for us.
"Sometimes, after such setbacks, you learn a lot and develop your personality. The lads have played a fantastic season, 90 points, we were great in the semi-finals [beating Norwich City 4-0 on aggregate].
"I was proud of the performance in many ways. In the final third, we could have been more effective but, apart from this, there is nothing to dwell on. We'll suffer for a few days, but use the break to recover and go again.
The German also paid tribute to Leeds' fans, who were in fine voice throughout the day, despite seeing their side fall in an EFL play-off final for a record-breaking fourth time.
"It's obviously a big disappointment for us because we were so close," he added.
"The support for this club is second to none - not just in the Championship, but even in this country. They carried us through difficult times, and were always there for us today. For them, we have to go again."
Martin 'overwhelmed' after guiding Saints back into Premier League
Russell Martin admitted he was "overwhelmed by the love and support" from Southampton, after guiding the Saints back into the Premier League.
Martin's side sealed their return to the top flight at the first attempt, with Adam Armstrong's strike enough to seal a 1-0 victory over Leeds United in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.
The former Swansea City boss, who replaced Ruben Selles at St Mary's last June, secured his first promotion as a manager, having also done so five times as a player.
And Martin fought back tears as he reflected on his achievement.
"I feel really emotional, I feel overwhelmed by the love and support I've had over the past nine or 10 months - especially in the tougher times," he told Sky Sports. "The team have been so brave, and I'm really proud of them.
"I've enjoyed watching the team grow, and watching the players grow. I absolutely love that group of players. I'm so pleased for them because what we've asked them to do is not easy."
Meanwhile, Southampton skipper Jack Stephens paid tribute to his team-mates, who gave him his "best feeling in football".
"I'm so proud to be captain of this club. I'm so proud of the boys today, I think they've been unbelievable," the defender told Sky Sports. "I think we probably didn't play our best game today, but we showed a different side.
"A few people have doubted us over this season. Can we defend? Can we dig in? I think we really showed that today. The feeling I've got now is the best feeling I've ever had in football. Honestly, I'm just so emotional."
Matchwinner Armstrong added: "I don't know what to say. It'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 in behind [for the goal] and I knew if I put it across goal it was going to go in, so it was a nice one.
"It means everything. The gaffer and his staff came in in pre-season and put a marker down of what they wanted to see, and look at this. This is why we're footballers, we want to be involved in the biggest games, what a way to win."
Leeds United 0-1 Southampton: Armstrong sends Saints marching back into Premier League
Southampton secured an immediate return to the Premier League after Adam Armstrong was the hero in a 1-0 victory over Leeds United in the Championship play-off final.
Saints' top scorer Armstrong provided the decisive first-half strike at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, with his 24th league goal of the season sending Russell Martin’s side straight back into England's top division.
The pair had scored a combined 197 goals this campaign, but just the one finish was enough to settle what was only the third second-tier play-off final between two sides relegated the previous year.
Southampton join Leicester City and Ipswich Town in winning top-flight promotion, while Leeds – who hit the crossbar through Daniel James late on – must prepare for at least another campaign in the Championship.
Daniel Farke's team settled the quicker of the two sides, who were separated by just three points during the regular season, but with little success in front of goal.
Archie Gray – the youngest Leeds player to appear at Wembley – drilled just wide early on, while Wilfried Gnonto shot straight at Alex McCarthy.
However, Southampton struck the all-important opener after 24 minutes, somewhat against the run of play.
Armstrong beat the offside trap after Ethan Ampadu's mindless charge out from the back, latching onto Will Smallbone’s throughball before neatly slotting past Illan Meslier.
A shoulder injury forced a distraught David Brooks off soon after but the Saints went close to doubling their lead just before the break as Meslier parried away Armstrong’s drive.
Crysencio Summerville curled just wide from the edge of the box within four minutes of the restart as Leeds sought an equaliser.
Substitute James rattled the crossbar with a right-footed effort six minutes from time and was again denied by McCarthy, as Southampton held on to seal their return back to the big time.
One Armstrong finish, one giant step for Saints
Southampton were appearing in their first-ever play-off final, and they had lost on eight of their 10 previous visits to Wembley, including each of the last five.
However, the Saints stopped the rot with a little help from a promotion expert – boss Martin achieved five of them as a player, and this was his third to the top flight overall.
Armstrong's cool finish proved the difference; his 24 goals this term is the most by a Southampton player in a single season since Rickie Lambert struck 27 in 2011-12 – their last promotion-winning campaign.
It was also the Saints' 100th – and most important – goal of the season; their first time reaching triple figures since the 2009-10 season under Alan Pardew.
More play-off pain for Leeds
Leeds have now appeared in the English Football League play-offs on six occasions, failing to secure promotion in each of those instances.
The omens did not look good when they fell behind considering not since Cardiff City in 2010 has a team failed to get promoted after opening the scoring in a Championship play-off final.
It is just over 16 years since their third play-off final disappointment against Doncaster Rovers in League One (May 25, 2008), with Leeds now playing the most such matches without ever gaining promotion.
Farke also missed the opportunity to become the third manager – after Steve Bruce (four) and Neil Warnock (three) – to win three Premier League promotions, following his Championship-winning campaigns of 2018-19 and 2020-21 with Norwich City.
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