Hull City clinched a spot in the Premier League after a dramatic 1-0 win over Middlesbrough in the Championship play-off final on Saturday. The victory marks the Tigers as the third team from the second tier to earn promotion this season, joining Coventry City and Ipswich Town in the top flight.
The winning goal came in stoppage time when Oli McBurnie capitalized on a costly error by Middlesbrough goalkeeper Sol Brynn. Brynn failed to hold a cross, and McBurnie was quick to react, prodding the ball into the net from close range in the 94th minute.
This triumph makes Hull City the first side since Blackpool to finish sixth in the regular season and still secure promotion via the play-offs. Their achievement is particularly notable given the competitive nature of the Championship this year.
For Middlesbrough, the defeat means another season in the Championship. Boro had reached the final after being reinstated following Southampton’s disqualification due to the ‘Spygate’ scandal, but they were unable to capitalize on that opportunity.