Last Day of the Championship: Southampton v Coventry City Match of the Day Live

Masters from years gone by? See you Southampton go mad! Lovely, to keep

It has gone horribly wrong for Southampton! Southampton are

relegated after 27 years of top- The Saints are coming! The Saints

That is the history, Southampton on the brink of marking another

chapter in their proud and a long history. This is how it stands. A

win for the Saints and they are up or if West Ham failed to get three

points, it is so close. Both could end up with identical goal

differences. Southampton would progress on their head-to-head

record. One other matter needs resolving, the final play-off place.

A draw for Cardiff would be enough but if they lose and Middlesbrough

win, they would sneak into 6th place. I and hit with BBC Mr

Football League. Actually, the atmosphere today is set even with

your background, the crowd and fans expect and they seem excited.

is the right way to look at it. They know they have to stay with

the players. It takes a while to get on the scoresheet, they must be

patient, none of the tensions on the terraces which will infiltrate

the pitch. They know what they have to do and a big part to play.

a fabulous atmosphere that is there a sense of stumbling over the line,

they should have sealed the deal by now. I am sure one or two may think

like that but however if you offered this scenario at the start

of the season, they would have taken it. They are against a

relegated side and if they win nobody can do anything about it and

they will be in the Premiership. Coventry is the I'll do -- ideal

opposition. We will discuss them up later, back to the third tear of

English football. Stranger things have happened in football but

Southampton know it is in their hands. They are the masters of

their own destiny. They win, they are in the Premiership. Commentary

is not top of the wish-list, they know it is a tough game and they

will give them the respect. If they play well, they will win this game.

And it doesn't matter who they are playing, this is the headline, The

City expects. A 90 million had match. The tension is there. The

butterflies will be jangling. Absolutely, the City expects. It is

set up to beat a Premiership club. The infrastructure, the training

ground, everything is top-notch. Everything is set up for them to do

well. If they do go up, propelling them into the second league. Billy

Sharp and the Championship Player of the Year Rickie Lambert with his

31 goals. It parallels, he has never played in the upper echelons.

Absolutely, a meteoric rise when you consider a couple of weeks ago

it was Bristol Rovers he was at. Alan Pardew picked him up for a

million pounds and it has been non- stop goals, goals, goals. There are

different facets to his game, not a one-dimensional player. Of course

all is at Upton Park on events here. West Ham would need to beat Hull by

a four goal margin. Big Sam is smiling ahead of this one. Pressure

from the beginning for him as West Ham manager. The expectation they

would bounce back up. He is playing mind games after the win against

Leicester. Of course, Adkins has retorted saying we will win this

game. Most managers air on the side of caution. We expect the

opposition. Nigel Adkins has come out saying we will win this game.

He is on the front foot and his positive. Sam Allardyce is trying

to undermine that. That is a little bit of mind games. Of course, the

play-offs for the Hammers today it Southampton do not slip up against

Coventry. With Adkins, how impressive back-to-back promotions

would be because it is a man who eight seasons ago was a physio at

Scunthorpe. It is an unorthodox route into management. Absolutely,

when he got the job people knocked him because he took over from Alan

Pardew and did well. But with different expectations, different

limitations. He has come here and has been organised, he has done

everything right. The players have given it in spades. A fantastic

effort from everyone. It is an outstanding achievement. Well, they

are entering into the cauldron of the St Mary's Stadium. Expectation,

hope and excitement and anticipation. This club is the

Premier League club in all but name. It has a rich history of football.

90 minutes away... Listen to the atmosphere, so it's up! -- soak it

up. West Ham hope and pray there was a slip up. Southampton will be

back in the top flight has after a Steve, you cannot see anything

other than a Southampton win, I'm getting divide it is positive today.

They have been very professional and consistent all year. I do not

see that changing today. 90 minutes away from a party? Over to the

commentary team. Simon Brotherton and Mark Wright.

It has been a turnaround at Southampton since Nigel Adkins took

over. They were in the relegation zone in League 1 and yet here they

are now on the brink of a return to the top table for the first time

since 2005. Coventry City have other ideas and if they can cause

an upset it could open the door for West Ham. Southampton are in a

great position but the pressure to finish the job is high in front of

a record sell-out crowd. Nigel Adkins makes two changes. The part

Coventry City arrive with FA decided. They were relegated last

weekend after a defeat at Doncaster Rovers. Richard Keogh was sent off

so misses out today. His replacement is a 17-year-old Willis

he makes his full debut in the heart of defence. Cole Baker comes

in at four Clive Platt two drops to the bench. Willis has only 33

minutes of first-team football under his belt from two substitute

appearances. His task is to keep Rickie Lambert quite. It is called

being thrown in other depend! Rickie Lambert has led the way for

Southampton with 27 goals. A The referee is an Sally Taylor he

-- Anthony Taylor. The crowds have flocked into the stadium with a

sell-out crowd of over 32,000 today. An average of 26,000 to over the

here at St Mary's. Automatic promotion within their grasp while

West Ham will be hoping that Coventry City can do them a favour

the blocks quickly. The referee got that wrong. A good start from

Southampton. The referee gives a gold kick but I thought it was a

corner. -- a goal-kick. They need to be patient and not get carried

away. Nothing to play for, nice and relaxed so make a game of it.

sure their manager would say there is always something to play for.

Six of the side here are 23 or younger. A great opportunity for

then. The manager wants to thank the crowd today you have got behind

Adkins has done. They haven't been out of the top two at all this

season. They let themselves down on a couple of occasions, but from

start to finish, anyone would take Southampton are enjoying some early

possession here. The crowd are in a buoyant route -- mood rather than

nervous. They are playing a team who has been relegated. You need a

win to secured promotion. But football often throws up upsets.

Lallana has been a key player for Jordan Clarke is eight Young Player

league and he is the Championship Player of the Year as well as the

top scorer. A fine example. He spent a majority of his career in

the lower divisions. He could be within touching distance of a dream.

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his players is Andy Thorn. In the old days, you wouldn't get a crack

at it and to you were 23 or 24. Now they are or can be 17. You can see

what has happened to Southampton if you look at Coventry. They dropped

to the First Division and then got investment. The stadium and the

infrastructure is here and they have worked their way back up,

hopefully today. The same will apply to Coventry. All they need

his investment. Billy Sharp has been a useful addition since his

experience in the past. Southampton are stumbling a bit. They won only

two of their last six matches. They allowed Reading to come in like a

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Lambert emerged in the back and the Thomas waiting for that pass.

thing you say two defenders is don't let the ball bounce which is

a Gary McSheffrey. That was poor defending from Southampton. They

didn't deal with the first ball and Southampton penalty area.

thought Southampton would come out all guns blazing but they have been

pushed back a bit. Davies is desperate to get back in the

Premier League. -- Davies. I remember one game where it was a

one-man show almost against Leeds here. In August, they will be

playing in the third deer for almost the first time in half a

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Willis has eight asked -- Willis is playing against one of his

former clubs this afternoon. He has one senior cap. And one England

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in that area the number of times product's. You get a bit more space

Against the top teams because they play more expansively. You have the

opportunity to pass and play and Coventry have moved the ball very

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taking a short one. They have done think he was Young Player of the in

the championship. Baker looked slightly offside. He just needs to

keep his composure. He slashed at them to control the pace of the

He is playing with to holding then they have had it. They have

got around the back of Southampton's defence and that is

one thing said and -- Southampton haven't done to Coventry yet.

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Southampton are yet to impose any of the opening quarter of an hour

but Southampton it is. They get their noses in front. One of the

biggest days in their recent history. Keeps his composure, this

is a little touch. It is a good much ground inside the Coventry

City half of the field. There the shot comes in and the faintest of

touches. Murphy might have had it covered. A little deflection off

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much. They have the lead, that is of his back in the tackle but he

settle the crowds down and keep the the roof at St Mary's. Two goals in

less than three minutes. Suddenly, it is all going Southampton's way,

no matter what West can do. Pure relief inside the stadium. They

pushed Coventry back. You can see the relief, a good delivery, gets

away from his marker. Dives in. You have to look at your defensive

marking, very poor. The header that doubles Southampton's lead and

could mean so so much. That looks like the story of Coventry's season.

A decent spell, pushing Southampton a fourth promotion in six years as

a manager here. Fantastic, and some of the football they have played.

Some of the football they have played and the has changed the team

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over-enthusiastic. He did not needs signing for Southampton. Eight

goals in 14 appearances to add to well with the squad. He plays off

their big day out so far. 32,363 packed into the stadium. A club

Palace. Cardiff be deployed to guarantee they stay in the play-off

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the score stays like this, it would be irrelevant and Southampton go up

and West Ham would settle for a play-off spot. There is a small

opportunity, hoping Coventry can pull off what most people see as

the impossible. Sam Allardyce quick to add to pressure on sub-funds and

pointing out to the pressure is on them and how he hoped he got --

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they get the jitters. Any jitters two Coventry City

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City 1-0 at the moment. Most importantly is the scoreline here.

If it stays like this, Southampton will be automatically promoted with

Reading to the Barclay's Premier side and it looks like Gary

player in the Coventry side and they could do without him having to

go off. Billy Sharp may be claiming poor marking. The way that he ran

up -- off with his hand in the air. It is in the back of the net and

that's what counts. Having been under pressure since the start of

the game, they did what was most is aware -- Middlesbrough for that

final spot. Coventry's -- Coventry City are forced into aid change.

They are losing an experienced player and Roberts is coming on to

replace him. It is the first appearance for another 18 year-old

player. It is amazing. The plight of many clubs, I suppose, and they

are giving their academy players a chance. That shows how important

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Southampton's season. Southampton looked as though they might be

forced to make a change as he is struggling a bit. He had a bang on

Southampton. That is good for him. Dean Hammond, the captain, leaves

the field. Wet Ham United are ahead. As it stands, it will not lift them

into second place. Jack court has appeared in every single one of

Southampton's league matches this season so they haven't had to dig

too deep on the benches. He has been a good signing from Chelsea

last summer. He played for England without international experience

all Premier League pedigree have led the way in the championship

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closer but not close enough because forcefully by eight Guly do Prado.

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Jose Fonte just managed to lean on better of Coventry twice this

great sequence of passing. A brilliant opportunity and, I have

to say, a great block as well. Beautiful play from one side of the

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sniffed today. I'm sure you think it doesn't matter who scores. --

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his performance in the first half. He scored the second one, helped

set up the first and now he is The longer the game goes without

scoring, the more the crowd feels edgy. Nigel Adkins has been talking

about the importance of the crowd getting behind the team. It was so

important, getting that goal after Football League awards when he was

Young Player of the Year. He took himself over to the training ground

as an 11 year-old and asked for a trial. It was only when one of the

coaches saw him running home that they asked him back the next day

and heres! A great story. Originally a war refugees from

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end of the first half, that's the first goal. An outpouring of joy

around the ground and three minutes later, Jose Fonte with the second.

Suddenly Southampton appeared to be has been as important to them as

Lambert and his goals. It makes the team tick.

He has been here since 11 years old. 10 matches he has been through in

League. He is sharp without being quick. You need the pace to defend

promotion. There goes the half-time whistle. So far, so good for Nigel

Adkins as they try to get into the big time. Billy Sharp with a vital

touch and soon after Jose Fonte and marked with a header that

Southampton's second. The home crowd are happy at the moment.

Southampton are heading for the hour away from a big party. That is

how the table stands at the moment. West Ham keeping up the pressure.

They are leading Hull. They are doing all they have to do,

Southampton. If there was a script, it is the one Nigel Adkins would

have written. Cardiff are clinging on to the play-off places behind

Crystal Palace. Middlesbrough not doing enough to eclipse them in the

I guess a few nervous moments early on but perfect. It went well. I did

say If they scored in the first 15 minutes, that would settle them and

it would continue. I feel sorry for Coventry. It is a young teen out

there. They play the game the right way, Coventry but are not

physically strong enough to deal with the power of what Southampton

have. Southampton have people feeling good about themselves.

first goal settled the nerves. Coventry started very well. A flick

from Billy Sharp. He is lethal. A great signing and a good goal.

atmosphere is fabulous. It went ballistic when the first goal went

in. Adam Lallana made some great running. He opened up the space.

There is no doubt, the team is well organised. A fantastic run first of

all. Do Parada comes in. Adam Lallana, brilliant into the box.

Lovely technique. I'm good earlier he was delighted to be part of a

successful squad because he was part of the team that went down to

the First Division. The space is did if you are a good player. This

could get us into the Premier League. I trust my ability, feeling

good and hits it well. With Rickie Lambert in the squad, many people

think do you need Billy Sharp? this season, playing to up top week

in week out, Southampton have done it with a sharp and Lambert. The

good 4, 4, 2 can get to out of the league. When you are a manager,

what is the strongest asset and for Reading and Southampton it is the

front two. They did not build it around Jose Fonte. He was involved

in the first goal but the Second coming from unlikely source.

think somebody has got to be marking him. He heads it down into

the ground. It goes above the player on the line. That was the

second attack, they were a cheat at the start. They did not give any

think easy to Coventry. Let's be honest, probably in the Premiership.

West Ham are keeping up the pressure but Coventry early on, you

thought how did they get into this awful predicament? It is OK when it

is 0-0. It was a great start, delighted with the way they are

playing but Adam Lallana relaxed. Most of these guys have come

through the youth team. Losing a lot of money as well. They have big

problems. It is not great news. That is the view of the boys in the

studio. Dan Walker has found some fans who are a smartly-dressed as

Robbie Savage. You probably spotted some of the

best dressed fans. 30 of them in tuxedoes. The first 15 minutes was

nervous but after that, according to plan. Absolutely, we could not

ask for better. The players seemed nervous at first, it was just what

we needed. Fantastic. There is a serious reason why you are dressed

like this. You are remembering former members of your family and

friends who passed away recently. Yes, we got together for some

drinks and we are getting together to have a good drink. A I am sure

it's an emotional day for you all. What is in need to be 45 minutes

away from taxi day football? It is one of those 45 minutes you want

over into macro minutes. Next year, a fantastic year for sub-funds of.

Congratulations, enjoy the second half.

All they need his blonde wigs and they will be in your gang. Let's

look around the championship. The main challenge from West Ham in

third place. Carlton Cole put them ahead in the first half. It is a

huge mountain to climb now there are two goals here. It looks like a

third-place is theirs. They place, not as bad as everyone alludes to

it. No, they finished third four times but have gone up. I think Sam

has done a good job but on reflection with the squad he's got,

if they did go up to the play-offs I think it will be a failure.

Gordon. I think Sam would be disappointed. He sees the crowd and

squad and a think Sam would think we have a good chance of going up.

You're taking away a bit from the management here and Reading. Prime

Internet and Nigel Adkins, unglamorous managers compared to

Sven-Goran Eriksson and Steve OK, let's look at the rest of the

play-off picture today. Crystal Palace ahead against Cardiff.

Cardiff hanging on at the moment. Absolutely. There are no easy games.

Crystal Palace making life difficult. Wherever you go away

from home in this division, it is tough. It has been agreed for

Cardiff in the past. As it stands, West Ham and Cardiff in the play-

off first leg. They all be tough. Middlesbrough cannot capitalise at

the moment. They are at Vicarage Road and bit his goal miss. -- it

I think at this stage of the season and you cannot do what you want and

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you cannot win the games, today Oh it is the nervous time of the

season for the teams. It is fantastic. For the last month,

every day you go to has had something on. It brings the extra

atmosphere. We will go back down to the pitch. Dan Walker has found a

We are in the tunnel with a man who used to play Premier League

football in Southampton. Jason, the first half Southampton fans, the

party started already. I think so. The first 10 minutes were cagey

which you would expect. We are showing everyone what a good side

we are. This is not of one off. This is how we play all season.

look after some of the kids here. You scored cracking goals for

Southampton. Your time here, you know how much it means for the club

to be on its way back to the big time. I was lucky and I came from

the Dales. This is where we need to be. This stadium needs to be in the

Premiership. On the whole, we deserve to be... In second place.

Hopefully the second half will go as well as the first half. A word

about Nigel Adkins. He sometimes speaks in cliches but he has been

successful and builds up a good side. He is very thorough. He has a

fantastic staff around him. It's a great place to work. That is where

the players are enjoying it. They come in every week, structured and

organised and the players know what to do. The Under 18 team is the top

of the league so the next generation looks good. Fair play to

Coventry, we played and six weeks ago and those lads played. Our lads

are watching and they want to be in the first squad. Enjoy the second

They want to keep their players. They have had such terrific offers.

The club's fault is that they produce terrific players. You go

way back, there are millions of them. They get looked after. Even

as a manager, I was quicker than him. It is important that you key

players like him around the cup. There are standards and everyone

knows what they are. As the captain of Derby, before the start of the

seats - I season you have a bonus scheme with the manager. Some of

these players could be worth in excess of �200,000. They could be

playing his United, Liverpool and Arsenal. These young men, Perrotta,

they could get a lot of money. Flicking through the programme and

I was very surprised to see that there was something familiar about

Bobby. In the programme, the same long hair and all he needed was a

moustache and he is my father! I always wondered why a new boss to

me around. A I didn't know he was your dad. A double bluff. Time to

get back to the proper action. Thank you, chaps. Let us hope the

second half is as thrilling and exciting as the first with

Southampton on the brink of a place in the Premier League. Simon and

that goal but in terms of the general play, Coventry played a

part in the first half just lacking a bit of experience. Strike is,

when they get the opportunity, have to put them away. In midfield, they

at the start of the second half. Shaun Jeffers, another Academy

striker who was on the bench last week, the 20 year-old is on for

Coventry City. And Gael Bigirimana is the player who has gone off. I

was quite enjoying watching him. Yes. So Southampton are 45 minutes

away from the so-called promised substitute appearance of the season.

Half of the Southampton and their 18th played against these players a

while ago. Under 18s. It is all in front of them. Work hard and

interesting is Coventry score a goal soon in the first -- second

half. He just wants to go out in give -- the players to go out and

give a good attitude -- account of themselves. Everything he has

wanted from than they have given but they didn't have enough of the

experience needed or a big enough contract by Manchester United for

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He can't really do it any more than Wimbledon player, Adam Cork. That

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Rickie Lambert affairs in the Premier League if Southampton do go

Norwich have gone. You have to look at them and the squad and

recruitment is the key thing now. Keep the pace of the team together.

go up automatically. They have a big squad and you have to still

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times in recent years with relegation and administration.

Maybe they can keep hold of some of the talent for a bit longer in the

Premier League. They lost some top height but they played neat

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the second half. Looking at the game now, you think they may be

trying to push Southampton back a bit but they really have not done

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The referee never flinched. A good small. Willis stretched for the

challenge. It looks like a bit of crumb. The tension on the debut,

the anxiety and adrenalin. And the pace of the game. 70 years

old. It is a day he will not forget. horizon. Oh, it is in! 3-0

Coventry City now. That is what centre-back. His 8th goal of the

season, lifting the roof at St It was a miss time to tackle and

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high as well. I don't know how the now. The crowd are in full voice.

Celebrating what will be as Southampton's return to the Premier

League. All week everyone has been saying it is a favourable fixture

but the bottom line is Coventry would never come to lie down.

Southampton still have to make it happen and win this game. They are

The crowd will come back if you are successful. It is packed to date

and no doubt every weekend next year. The players want to play in

front of that. The managers and owner want it as well. It is a huge

day, a big season. Both central defenders have scored there

Southampton today. Stand up if you are going up, is the cry. Everyone

is up! The travelling contingent of field, Coventry. Uncertainty about

the future direction of the ownership. They pay a heavy rent on

their stadium. Over a million pounds a year. Billy Sharp! It is

four. Adam Lallana! Southampton are going up. The Saints are marching

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style with room to spare. This long promotion. And that looks assured

now. There is no way back for Coventry in this game. They need to

regroup and look ahead to next The manager is still barking at

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Park. Crystal Palace are playing Cardiff. Cardiff City needs a draw.

They were losing but Cardiff City turning it around. 2-1 ahead in

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from the left-hand side. He will be delighted. Complacency, lack of

concentration, you think the game around in the space of a year and a

half leading them from relegation up to the Premier League. Very

impressive. He started at the bottom and worked his way up, a

qualified physio it. He has won three promotions from League 1 into

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using academy players to plug the similar to Southampton in terms of

their standing and how things went for them. A 34 year running top

division for 1967 to 2001. Can they bounce back from their perilous

position, off the field as much as of uncertainty. Cleared by Willis

who has gone down again. I wonder if he is suffering from cramp. He

must get up and stretch quickly. This looks as though Coventry we

have to make a change. Willis is on in this match. A full day before

the club. A big occasion. He needs to get his foot on the floor and

stretch. The fans celebrating all ready because they know they seem

are almost there and nothing will stop them now. The first goal, the

touch on Billy Sharp, the header from Jose Fonte. Then, in the

second period to Southampton heading up in style. Southampton's

Coventry City are making a change. Henderson will come on. Willis, the

player going off. Henderson is an academy central defender, recalled

this week from his work experience loan at Nuneaton, a mainstay of the

Coventry under 18 team and the 18- year-old makes his debut for the

their squad here. Two of the players on the pitch, their names

were not on the back of the match to get a goal, Kelvin Davis is

equal to it. He has pulled off a three fine saves. Coventry are

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trying to add to their 13 goals are change and Billy Sharp is coming

ovation for him. He has made a major contribution to Southampton

since arriving. His goals have helped and he scored one today.

This has been a vitally important Lambert. Steve De Ridder is the man

to replace him. He can play on either side. This is his 27th

appearance as a substitute. He is the impact player for the last 15

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Steve De Ridder normally does play of luck. That is one touch football.

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But sent -- Southampton are so does she? Maybe that has already

that head on the final whistle. the cheering is for the

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announcement of a club record crowd like people to remain in their

seats or keep off this pitch at the final whistle. Southampton are

totally in control of the match. They have done the job and they

have scored four goals which gives positive. They have their gulls and

that is the most important thing. They had one defeat to Bristol City.

When it is in your old hands, that is exactly how you want it. From a

neutral point of view, they have been in the top throughout the

season. That is consistency. It is only right that they eat go up.

They deserve it. Lallana goes off to a standing ovation. Not just for

today but his efforts throughout the season. He joined the club at

12 years of age and now he is 23. He is an example. He had a heart

out of favour hero at Southampton. -- here at Southampton. Coventry

are still looking for a consolation need to do. 18 at the bottom who

have already been relegated and they might think, are we going to

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being led away. The crowd are edging down towards the sides of

the pitch. Then maybe a little bit of added time. They need to let the

teams get off. I'm sure the Southampton players will

back... It is a great moment for the Southampton public having seen

their team go through what they have gone through. Doubts about the

future of the club. There is a good 30,000 fan-base here. It shows what

can happen. It has not been easy. The way they have done it has been

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very impressive. Nigel Adkins has morning but it stopped in time for

the kick-off. But thankfully it has stayed away so far. Nothing will

dampen Southampton's parade. Nigel will face the cameras and

will be asking about who he will sign. And the budget.

given everything. So many young players out there. They have given

it a go. I take my hat off to them for that. Southampton happy to see

the time out. The noise is quite Southampton and West Ham could have

been level on points and then it would have been against West Ham's

meaning Southampton went up on the head to head. If, but and maybe!

season in style. After one or two disappointments in recent weeks.

The title slipping away but they haven't fallen at the final hurdle.

They remain solid. They have dealt with the expectation and pressure

of the situation they were in. It is all you practise and trained for,

repetition, defensively they have been solid today. A couple of saves

minutes has passed in St Mary's. Cody Mcdonald battling away for

Coventry City. It has not been there a year or their day. -- they

year. Dan Walker is with a sub Hansons players. We are here with a

club captain and the scorers. What a day for Southampton. Yes, it's

amazing. The boys have been unbelievable. I cannot wait for

that final whistle. I apologise for the swearing. Keep it clean. You

score bat first goal and that was what relieved the nervousness.

glad I hadn't got the goal. He deserved it. Adam, you have been

here since he would 12 years old. What does it mean to you? Uddin is

off onto the pitch! Southampton are promoted! There was no stopping him

today. They delivered when it mattered. Four good goals, no reply

from Coventry City. The party starts now. And the Saints Go

marching In a to the Premier League. West Ham's result today proved

irrelevant on the day. Southampton, who suffered two relegations and

administration, are back in the big time for the first time in seven

years. Billy Sharp set a modern road to victory, Jose Fonte Navidi

two. Jos Hooiveld put it beyond reach. The sign it tells you all

you need to know. On this, they are celebrating. Southampton are up

into the Premier League. Incredible scenes St Mary's. Seven

years they have been a wave from the top flight. Administration but

they are back and the party get started. They have never been

celebration. How does it feel? Pride, too right. Is it hard to

find the words, you normally have many words. What does it mean to

you and the club? A lot of people put a lot of hard work in. For the

players try to get out, fantastic supporters. They deserve all the

points they get. They work so hard every day, so professional.

Everybody at this club worked their socks off. They deserve all the

praise. We knew joined Southampton, they were 22nd in League 1, and you

start in the Premier League. Southampton are back in the Premier

League. Fantastic. On a personal note as well. You at Scunthorpe and

you're now a Premier League manager. I am very very proud. On it. We put

a lot of hard work in. It is good. I am a happy man. Does it feel as

expected? I don't know. There are some scenes going on. I will stand

over there. I think we need set let Nigel Adkins absorb the atmosphere.

He always deflect the attention. He never wants to take the credit. It

is a team effort but he has done an incredible job with the players.

Terrific. He was nearly crying. You want to be with the people who have

helped to. You will have to say thank you. Dan Walker is a lovely

feller but he wants to get thank everyone who helped him. A

fantastic occasion. I am feeling They were always a sideshow. The

big story here is Southampton back in the big time. Can we look

forward, we see Norwich come up and Paul Lambert with them. Neither of

them spend fortunes, what the Southampton need to do the same

journey in the Premier League? Swansea have a great team spirit,

managers who are not big time, the play is fight the managers and no

real superstars but the manager is great. The Kelvin Davis is with

down. -- Dan Walker. It is unreal. It has

been a fantastic season. We have played the style of football we

enjoyed playing. We are delighted. We spoke to the boss who does not

want to talk about the fact he has done such a great job. What is it

like working for him? It will be exciting. He has done brilliant

since he's been hit, calm, collected. The preparation is

second to none. He lets the lads manage themselves as well. We all

have a voice and he is a good communicator. He deserves

everything he gets. You played with Sunderland, you know what the

players were experience. Have you been able to tell them and

communicate what it will be like in the Premier League? It is a top

division, we all want to try are skills and see if we can do it. I

would love to have another crack. That will be my message. Grasp it

with both hands. It can be a great game. A great day, a great season.

Congratulations. The Southampton players would have seen Norwich and

Swansea, players coming up through the division and play the same way.

Can sup handsome play the same way in the Premier League? No doubt

they would have to add quality, that is what Swansea and Norwich

have done. You can't buy a new team, you have to have four or five that-

good enough. They have that here. With the infrastructure and the

financial backing they have which you have to say it is quite

substantial at this club, you like to think they would be OK. 32,000

fans hated day, it is a rich football area. It is very laid-back.

When you put them in the stadium, they come alive. It's terrific. 250

million will guarantee it. Clubs like that can't do it. At one or

two players and the confidence they have would keep them going next

year. Let's bring you up to speed with the table. Crystal Palace

going down to Cardiff. They cement their place in the top six.

Blackpool drew with Millwall. Burnley and beat Reading. The top

of the table, confirmation West Ham he finished in third place will

play it Cardiff. That was the opening game of the season. The

first games in the play-offs in the Lower Place side. Birmingham City

play Blackpool. We were at the game when a West Ham player Cardiff.

With all due respect, West Ham were the better side. Blackpool are live

wires. They are the unpredictable as. Briefly, can they stay up next

season? It will be tough, Swansea and Norwich, play the football, a

good night and good chance. Norwich and Swansea have proved you can do

it. Brilliant to have you here today to enjoy this. The fans are

still on the pitch. Wonderful scenes. A fantastic atmosphere.

They deserve them moments today to enjoy this, the players and the

fans. The party will go on long into the evening. The Challenge Cup