Just 33 days separated Russell Martin's darkest day in management from his greatest. Little over a month ago, the Southampton boss slumped into a chair at Leicester's King Power Stadium and told the media room how his team were ‘pathetic'.

After an arduous, bipolar campaign of ups and downs, from 25-match unbeaten streaks to his own fans doubting his style, Martin's men had just waved the white flag in the automatic promotion race, being thumped 5-0 by the Foxes.

‘I did not like what I saw from my team one bit,' he said, looking like he had run out of puff. ‘Body language, arms up in the air. It's inexcusable. Players need to show love for each other, I'm fed up with doing it.

‘They need to feel some pain and the same pain that I'm feeling right now, and the hurt that I'm feeling. It's pathetic. This result and performance is not on. How much do we really want to win promotion? How much do we care?'

Fast-forward a month, that pain was replaced by euphoria. The arms in the air were no longer in complaint but in ecstasy, as the players darted towards their jubilant fans to celebrate. The lack of caring was now a warrior-like team performance and a richly deserved promotion.

Southampton have ensured their return to the Premier League after winning the play-off final

Adam Armstrong (centre, front) scored the Saints' winner against Leeds United on Sunday

The 27-year-old was sent through on goal and made no mistake in finding the back of the net

Leeds' play-off hoodoo - which has seen them lose four finals - continued with Sunday's defeat

Saints boss Russell Martin lifts the play-off trophy in front of the travelling Southampton fans

Podcast All episodes

EPISODE 90: How Manchester United CAN win crunch FA Cup clash

EPISODE 89: Why Manchester City aren't the reason the League is boring

'It hasn't worked!' Is VAR the problem or the solution?

EPISODE 87: Why United must tear down Old Trafford and move to Wembley

PODCAST: How many Manchester United players get in the Arsenal team?

Play on Apple Spotify

Whether that frustrated post-match address to the media was a rallying cry by design or not, it certainly worked. Saints put in a tactical masterclass and produced a fearless display that preyed on the mental frailties and nerves of Leeds stars haunted by past failures.

Adam Armstrong will take the headlines for his first-half goal, a prolific finish after a clever run off the ball, but every man in red and white deserves plaudits. No 2 goalkeeper Alex McCarthy stood tall when needed - not until second-half stoppage time - and the midfield was imperious.

Read More

PLAYER RATINGS: Which Leeds star 'struggled with the intensity'? Who 'barely had a touch'? And which loanee was a man of the match contender at Wembley?

No one came out of the game better than Martin, the 38-year-old boss on a redemption mission. The man to his left in the dugouts, Daniel Farke, set in motion the end of his playing career. When the German took over at Norwich, he jettisoned club captain and fan favourite Martin.

Publicly, Brighton-born Martin insists there is no bad blood between the pair - but victory must have tasted somewhat sweeter noting his history with Farke. They had a cordial handshake at full-time and then Martin sprinted to the red half of Wembley with his arms outstretched.

He deserved his moment in the spotlight - not just for this gameplan. At times this season, he has been criticised for SCapsules Fake his playing style being too methodical, robotic and structured. But Martin, a vegan and Buddhist, stuck by his principles and they paid off in abundance.

As for Leeds, who saw this coming? Well, pretty much every fan in their pessimistic number who travelled in their bucket loads and swarmed central London. Kings Cross underground station was briefly closed due to flares set alight by supporters.

But they were the only sparks from those in Leeds colours here. This was their sixth play-off campaign that ultimately ended in heartache - even serial promotion winner Farke unable to stop the so-called hoodoo.

Leeds, who have been so brilliant throughout 2023-24, fell just short of reaching the top-flight

Daniel Farke watched on his side were unable to find a goal against the Saints at Wembley

They were sloppy in possession, second best in the midfield battle and toothless when they managed to work the ball into dangerous positions. Dan James hit the bar but, aside from that, Saints keeper McCarthy did not make a meaningful save until second-half stoppage time.