Southampton struck late in extra-time to see off the challenge of Middlesbrough and book a play-off final place against Hull City at Wembley for a chance of a Premier League return.Shea Charles cross snuck in to seal a 2-1 win and cap a remarkable turnaround in form for the Saints after an awful start to the season.Saints were 18 points behind Boro as recently as February but have ended the season brilliantly as they chase an immediate return to the top flight.After a goalless first leg at the weekend, Middlesbrough struck first when Riley McGree found loads of space inside the area to smartly tuck home Callum Brittains low cross a first goal in seven play-off matches for Boro.Southampton were rocking but created a great chance for Ross Stewart, but on the stretch he steered a volley wide from a wonderful cross in by Ryan Manning.The game swung from end to end in an open and entertaining firt half and Saints drew level in added time. Mannings volley was saved by Sol Brynn and Stewart did brilliantly to climb and flick a header across goal and in.The second half was much more one-way traffic as the home side piled on pressure. Manning saw a shot deflect into the side-netting and substitute Cyle Larin was denied by a fine save from Brynn late on.With no further breakthrough the tie went to extra time, with Brynn again saving well from Samuel Edozie.Both sets of players looked exhausted as the spectre of penalties loomed large.But Charles, wide on the right, flung in a dangerous ball that Brynn and Dael Fry left to each other and the ball flew in.It has been nearly 10 years since Boro played in the Premier League and they will be smarting from the Spygate 2.0 scandal.Middlesbrough officials allegedly caught a Southampton staff member covertly filming their training session just 48 hours before the semi-final first leg.Boro staff reportedly spotted the individual, identified as a Saints analyst, observing from a public area overlooking their Rockliffe Park base. Topics EFL Championship Middlesbrough F.C. Southampton F.C. Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Millwall 0-2 Hull City: Belloumi and Gelhardt send Tigers into Championship play-off final Nicholas McGee 11th May, 2026 Middlesbrough 0-0 Southampton: Report, result, highlights from EFL Championship play off semi final as Hellberg says alleged spying is not okay in quest to reach Premier League Ben Miller 9th May, 2026 Hull City 0-0 Millwall: Tigers have late goal disallowed in play-off semi-final Nicholas McGee 8th May, 2026 Ipswich secure Premier League return as Hull earn final play-off spot Nicholas McGee 2nd May, 2026 Sheffield Wednesday avoid 26-27 points deduction as takeover finally completed Nicholas McGee 2nd May, 2026 What time is the FA Cup final 2026? Confirmed start time, full details on where to watch, TV channel and live online stream for 2025/26 showpiece Ben Miller 27th April, 2026
