Late heartbreak for Boro as Southampton progress in play-offs, for now
Middlesbrough were defeated by an extra-time goal from the Saints, and are set to remain in the Championship, unless Southampton face severe EFL punishment over ‘spygate’.
Middlesbrough were knocked out of the Championship play-offs thanks to a late Southampton goal in extra-time at St. Mary’s, despite having led early on in the match.
Shea Charles’ cross-come-shot with less than five minutes left of the additional period was missed by Dael Fry, leaving Sol Brynn rooted to the spot in his goal as the ball crept into the net.
It was a brutal way for Boro to see their Premier League dreams disappear in front of them, but they had been on the back foot for much of the second half, as well as during extra-time.
“Cruel” was how Kim Hellberg described his side’s defeat following the full time whistle. He held back tears in his post-match press conference, citing how much he and his players had put into this game, whilst continuing to make clear his feelings that they have been wronged as a result of Southampton’s alleged spying actions.
Away from the off-field issues, Middlesbrough had been dominant in the first leg at the Riverside, but were frustrated by the goalless draw. On this occasion however, they did in five minutes what they had failed to do in over 90 on Saturday - opening the scoring thanks to a low shot from Riley McGree.
Boro were again showing their Premier League potential, but an incident towards the end of the first half involving Luke Ayling and Southampton captain, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, in which discrimatory language was allegedly used by the latter, seemed to knock them off course.
The Saints’ equaliser came from a Ross Steward header after a scramble in the box, but there was certainly evidence of Southampton fouls on Boro players in the build up. Given the precedent set by VAR ruling out West Ham’s goal for a foul on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya on Sunday, Southampton were perhaps fortunate as a result of the EFL’s lack of technology.
This was not an isolated officiating controversy though, with Andy Madley waving away a Boro penalty appeal in the second half by making clear that the ball had struck the shoulder of Kuryu Matsuki. Replays showed it quite clearly hit the inside of his arm, which was away from his body.
As the clock ticked on past the full time whistle and into extra-time, Boro grew more tired and Southampton more determined. There was sloppiness from several players where they really should have done better. The home side’s winner came after Middlesbrough again failed to clear their lines, and the majority inside St. Mary’s went wild.
Despite the win, Saints’ boss Tonda Eckert knew he still had questions to (not) answer, and was asked whether he was a cheat in his news conference, which angered the club’s press officer, who brought proceedings to an abrupt halt.
Of course, however, proceedings are not coming to a half off the pitch, and whilst Southampton will be busy booking their second trip to Wembley in the space of a month, whether they actually make it there is still yet to be decided. The independent commission will continue to deliberate over their verdict regarding ‘spygate’, which if guilty will leave the EFL with a huge call to make.