Hull City were promoted to the Premier League after an Oli McBurnie goal in stoppage time sealed the most dramatic of 1-0 victories over Middlesbrough in the Championship play-off final at a sweltering Wembley.
A match played in searing heat was drifting towards extra time when McBurnie pounced to lash home a loose ball in the 95th minute after a fumble by Boro keeper Sol Brynn.
Hull will return to the top flight for the first time since they were relegated in 2017 and reap the reward of what is known as the £200m game.
The circumstances surrounding this final were truly unprecedented, with Southampton being expelled from the play-offs after they were caught spying on Middlesbrough ahead of their semi-final tie, which the Saints won 2-1 on aggregate. Boro were given a reprieve but couldn’t take advantage as they are now consigned to another season in the Championship.
Follow all the reaction from the Championship play-off final at Wembley in our live blog below:
How Hull banished the Spygate circus to write their play-off fairytale
Heaven for Hull. A team tipped for relegation at the start of the season, who only stayed up on goal differences last year, who were unable to buy players because of a transfer embargo, have indeed swapped divisions. But instead of dropping into League One, they are back in the Premier League. A play-off campaign that will forever be remembered for Spygate had one last surprise, Oli McBurnie infiltrating the Middlesbrough penalty area to prod in the most lucrative goal in Hull’s history.
A free transfer got the £200m strike, the richest game in world football decided by a product of the freeze on Hull’s spending. Enforced austerity has never been so profitable. But Middlesbrough, left devastated by losing a semi-final to a club who admitted cheating, were hurt again. “Two heart-breaking losses in one week,” said manager Kim Hellberg.
So Boro have a unique double, beaten in both the semi-finals and the final. This time, it is safe to say, they will not get a reprieve. “It has been a rollercoaster for everyone in the football club,” added Hellberg. “It was the toughest two weeks I have been through.”
Full report from Wembley:
Ryan Giles says weather ‘took toll’ after coming off with cramp
“The weather took its toll,” Hull’s Ryan Giles told Sky Sports.
“We knew it would be tough conditions, good side Middlesbrough, we have quality, and big Oli Mac up front – he’s done it all year, it takes one moment and he’s done it and here we are.”
Joe Gelhardt: ‘It hasn’t sunk in yet’
“It hasn’t sunk in yet, the lads are unbelievable as were the fans,” Joe Gelhardt told BBC Radio Humberside.
“Oli McBurnie scores goals like he always does, he’s a natural goalscorer. I’m delighted for him,
“I was shattered, I was glad to hear the final whistle, it was pure relief and then you realise that you’re in the Premier League.
“You’ve just won the most important game that you’ve played in. It was pure excitement!”
Curtis Davies: Ollie McBurnie is the difference-maker
“I feel really emotional at the moment,” said former Hull defender Curtis Davies on Sky Sports. “I didn’t think I would actually feel like this.
“Watching the way the game was panning out, we all thought it wasn’t a game of much quality, tired legs out there and tired bodies with the heat.
“But I did say there would either be a moment of quality or a mistake. Unfortunately for Sol Brynn, he’s the one that makes the mistake but Oli McBurnie makes no mistake in putting it in the back of the net.
“The difference maker. Didn’t have a lot to do in the game today, was almost marked out of it most the game.
“But when his moment came, he was there to do it and he’s taken Hull to the Premier League.”
Hull’s previous Premier League memory
Hull return to the Premier League nine years on from their last relegation.
Peep the talent from that 2017 squad – one that included Andy Robertson, Harry Maguire, Michael Dawson and a young Jarrod Bowen!
Southampton and Tonda Eckert set for further punishment over Spygate scandal as FA launches investigation
Hull will dominate the backpage tomorrow morning, a nice change for Tonda Eckert and Southampton. But they are anything but out of the woods yet.
An FA spokesperson said: “We will now investigate and won’t comment further until we have assessed the evidence.”
The Independent understands Eckert, who authorised sending staff to spy on opposition teams, will be pursued for bringing the game into disrepute and could face a lengthy ban.
EFL avoid legal headache with Hull owner
“Our legal team says that we have to go for action, that’s for sure,” Ilicali told BBC Radio Humberside ahead of kick-off at Wembley
“So we have no doubt about it. Here, all we want is justice. If justice is broken, nobody will enjoy football.”
Fortunately for all parties involved (barring Boro), there was happy ending for Hull. That should keep that specific Spygate can of worms sealed shut.
Southampton are guilty of needless idiocy after £200m blunder
How Saints fans would’ve rued the actions of their own club today… Richard Jolly delves into the idiocy surrounding Spygate:
The club that wanted to know everything seemed to have missed one minor detail in their investigations. More than 12 hours after one of the more explosive announcements in EFL history, the main story on Southampton’s club website still concerned Ross Stewart’s call-up to Scotland’s World Cup squad. And ‘the Loch Ness Drogba’ will indeed be one of the best nicknames in the United States this summer.
Before being thrown out, Southampton were the favourites to beat Hull in Saturday’s play-off final. Promotion could be worth £200m. Even put the morality of their amateurish antics to one side for a moment and this is the £200m cock-up.
