Southampton qualified for the Championship play-off final with an emphatic 3-1 win over West Brom on Friday night.
That win at St Mary’s booked their place at Wembley on 26th May, where they will face a Leeds United side they have already beaten twice this season.
West Brom’s approach became obvious within the first few minutes of the game as they sat in their low block and tried to make things difficult for Southampton, but offered nothing in an attacking sense.
After Southampton dominated the first 45 minutes but only had one shot on target to show for it, they broke the deadlock just four minutes into the second-half with a brilliant strike from Will Smallbone.
Adam Armstrong went on to score a second and then wrapped the game up from the penalty spot before a late Baggies consolation goal.
However, it was the man that scored the first that manager Russell Martin was full of praise for after the game.
Russell Martin ‘loves’ watching Will Smallbone
Smallbone has been at the club since the age of eight, so scoring the all important opener in the biggest game of his Southampton career to date would have meant the world to him.
At 24, the midfielder is enjoying his first season as a Saints regular, with the Ireland international on loan at Stoke City last season whilst his parent club suffered relegation from the Premier League.
Martin was asked about the moment Smallbone scored the first post-match and went on to lavish the player in praise, saying: “He’s been so good. To hear the fans singing his name when he comes off and the performance he puts in.”
“I’ve said to you a few times, it’s been one of the greatest privileges to watch Will grow and turn into what he’s turned into.
“(He is) selfless. (He) runs so much. He’s developing a real aggressive side now, out of possession, which I’d really love to see. He’s going to be a top, top player for this club and he already is.
“He’s such a valued member of the team by his teammates. He is so well-liked because of what he does. He’s been an absolute star. He has to, like everyone else, now go again.”
Smallbone stepping up in Stuart Armstrong absence
When Stuart Armstrong was stretchered off against Cardiff City in April, Southampton fans were rightfully worried.
The Scotland international was ruled out for the rest of the season shortly after, leaving concerns about where the midfield creativity was going to come from in his absence.
Smallbone has taken it upon himself to pick up the mantle from Armstrong, scoring against Leeds in the final day win before his vicious strike beat Alex Palmer in the West Brom goal on Friday.
Those goals take him to seven league goals this season, which is a brilliant return for a player who has played as the deepest midfielder at times.
Smallbone has also provided three assists, taking him to ten goal contributions in the Championship this season.
The academy graduate will be hoping for at least one more in the biggest game of his career at Wembley next Sunday in what would be a fairytale ending to his first season as a starter for his boyhood club.