- Southampton booked their place in the play-off final after winning the tie 3-1
- At full time, their fans invaded the pitch and appeared to confront the away end
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Southampton and West Brom fans appeared to throw missiles at each other as the Saints celebrated booking their places in the Championship play-off final.
Russell Martin’s side dominated the second leg clash at St Mary’s on Friday evening, winning 3-1 on the night and aggregate thanks to a Will Smallbone strike and brace from Adam Armstrong.
They will take on Leeds at Wembley next weekend as both sides aim for an immediate return to the Premier League following relegation last season.
After the full time whistle, hundreds of home fans invaded the pitch to celebrate their side reaching the final, and appeared to goad away supporters before scenes turned ugly.
Footage from social media seemed to show a missile being thrown into a crowd on the pitch from what looked to be the away end, with a supporter throwing another into the stands.
It is unclear whether it was the same missile thrown in response.
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Other footage showed stewards and police holding back Southampton fans from getting to the away end, with chants of ‘Albion’ heart in videos shared online.
In photos, fans from the away end could be seen trying to get onto the pitch.
It was a delayed pitch invasion, with Southampton’s squad initially congratulating each other after managers Russell Martin and Carlos Corberan shook hands.
Smallbone was all smiles as he made his way from the substitutes’ bench to the pitch, before the first set of fans entered the field.
More began to make their ways onto the field of play, with supporters holding flags in the air and a flare also seen on the pitch.
The home supporters appeared to goad the away end full of fans who will again have to watch their team in Championship action next season.
Both Southampton and West Brom have been contacted for comment.
In the game, West Brom started well, deploying a low block in a bid to resist the possession-based play from the hosts.
Initially, the plan was working, with the score 0-0 at half time to mirror the score line from the first leg last week at the Hawthrons.
Smallbone opened the scoring in the 49th minute, however, meaning the visitors had to score if they were to at least take the game to extra time.
Armstrong scored his brace to take the game away from West Brom, with Cedric Kirpe’s goal deep into stoppage time in vain.