Leeds United did not only suffered a setback in their attempt to seal promotion to the English top-flight but also had one of the top players and former Man United star Dan James down with a horrific injury.
James, 26, suffered a brutal head injury in the match after he clashed with Southampton player Kyle Walker-Peters after a thick aerial challenge between the pair.
James had attempted to beat Kyle to the second ball. The pair happened to contest for the ball at the same, jumping to head it only to clash mid-air.
Kyle came out unscathed by the challenge but James was down with a gruesome head injury and had to be attended to by the medics.
Blood was gushing down his scalp as he clutched to it. Leeds United medics had to wrap his head with a bandage cover to prevent excessive bleeding and help him continue with the game.
After the accidental injury, the former Man United star nearly got Leeds United back into the game as he hit the underside of the Southampton net with a potent attempt.
Adams Armstrong had gave Southampton the lead in the 26th minute. And the goal was all the Saints needed to secure promotion back to the English top-flight in their first attempt
It was jubilations for the 2023-24 Championship Playoff Champions but a disappointing outing for James and Leeds United teammates, who have now failed in their last four attempts to secure promotion to the first tier through the playoffs.
Leeds United began the 2023-24 Championship campaign on a brilliant note. They however later fell to third on the table below the two automatic promotion slots.
In the playoffs, they were pundits’ favorites to ace the mini-competition and gain promotion only to falter and cede the slot to the Saints at Wembley.
