Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg talking to Sky Sports
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“I am unbelievably proud of the players, how they played and their fight through two games. I am proud of a lot of things. We played very well in the first half, unbelievably good, and had chances to score a second. We played a very good team, who have a top-quality and massive squad. How we played those two legs is very impressive and to dominate here in the first half is impressive. There were not many chances in extra time but we were not sharp enough in transition. Football is a sport of very small margins and over long periods in this game we were very good. We have to go again.
“I have not found anything out about that [whether Southampton will be punished by being thrown out of the play-offs]. We had a plan if we won the game but we did not, which is disappointing. Congratulations to the players and fans of Southampton for the win. I am not going to make any suggestions on that [whether Southampton should be chucked out] and we will see what happens.”
The emotion of defeat
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Battling it out in the final
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Southampton and Hull will fight it out at Wembley on Saturday May 23 for a place in the Premier League next season.
Southampton’s Ryan Manning speaking to Sky Sports
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“I feel like we got back in the game, we started get on top, we did not have that killer ball until Shea’s [Charles] went in. It was the first ball of any real quality. Probably in the first game, I do not know how they did not score. In this game, there were times we should have scored. I thought it was going to be a penalty shootout. The last 10 minutes, I thought ‘here we go again’.”
Despair for Middlesbrough
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Man of the match Shea Charles
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“It was [a shot for his goal]! It was a cross-shot. I thought I would put it into an area and it has gone all the way through and gone in. It was an incredible moment. None of us are used to extra-time. It was really tough against a really good team but thankfully we came out on top.”
Not the end of the story?
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Southampton are into the final but we have not heard the end of Spygate. What may the EFL decide? In theory, they do have the power to potentially throw Southampton out of the play-offs but we will have to wait and see what happens with that investigation.
Southampton on their way to Wembley
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There is the final whistle and Southampton will take on Hull in the play-off final. They did fall 1-0 down early on tonight but have come from behind to win after extra time to book their place at Wembley. Joy for Southampton, despair for Middlesbrough.
120+4 mins: Southampton 2 Middlesbrough 1 (2-1)
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Just 60 seconds remain and Southampton are on the verge of victory...
120+3 mins: Southampton 2 Middlesbrough 1 (2-1)
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Southampton are desperately holding on inside their penalty area and Middlesbrough have a corner on the right. Brynn is up from the Middlesbrough goal but the corner is headed away at the front post.
120+2 mins: Southampton 2 Middlesbrough 1 (2-1)
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Peretz is rightly booked for taking ages over a goal kick.
120+1 mins: Southampton 2 Middlesbrough 1 (2-1)
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Browne shoots from the edge of the Southampton box but his effort is blocked.
120 mins: Southampton 2 Middlesbrough 1 (2-1)
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There will be five added minutes. Is there one more sting in the tale?
119 mins: Southampton 2 Middlesbrough 1 (2-1)
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Double change for Southampton as Welington and Bragg come on.
Hansen is on for Middlesbrough.
GOAL! Charles puts Southampton in front
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Are Southampton on their way to Wembley for the second time in a few weeks? Charles, who scored the winner for Southampton against Arsenal here in the FA Cup, cuts inside from the right and clips in a cross. Fry cannot get his head on it to clear and the ball runs all the way through to the far corner. It was not a shot but Southampton will not care one bit. Southampton are just a few minutes away from the play-off final.
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 12, 2026SOUTHAMPTON TAKE THE LEAD DEEP INTO EXTRA-TIME!
Shea Charles' cross evades everybody and the Saints have one foot in the play-off final! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/H9w1DXeSjG
113 mins: Southampton 1 Middlesbrough 1 (1-1)
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It is quite edgey as both sides are becoming increasingly resigned to the fact that this game is likely heading to penalties.
109 mins: Southampton 1 Middlesbrough 1 (1-1)
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Edozie is back to his feet but still clutching at his right shoulder. He is going to come back on.
107 mins: Southampton 1 Middlesbrough 1 (1-1)
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Whichever side wins this semi-final will be relieved that the final is not this weekend but instead the one after. If it had been this weekend, it would have been a big advantage for Hull.
Play is halted as Edozie has landed awkwardly on his shoulder.
Second period of extra time
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Middlesbrough have made a change as Sarmiento replaces McGree.
15 minutes of extra time remain.
104 mins: Southampton 1 Middlesbrough 1 (1-1)
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Plenty of fans inside St Mary’s can barely watch at the moment, watching through their fingers.
100 mins: Southampton 1 Middlesbrough 1 (1-1)
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Larin wins Southampton a corner out on the right as his cross deflects behind off Fry. Manning’s delivery to the near post is flicked on by Wood and the last touch comes off a Middlesbrough player for another corner on the other side. It is sent into a dangerous area and Middlesbrough scramble it clear. Southampton keep it alive and Edozie’s shot is saved by Brynn. Harwood-Bellis then swings to try and make contact with the rebound but misses.
97 mins: Southampton 1 Middlesbrough 1 (1-1)
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There are some tired legs out there.
92 mins: Southampton 1 Middlesbrough 1 (1-1)
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Edozie drives down the left touchline and is brought down by Brittain, who is booked.
Start of extra time
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How much do you risk or do you take the chance of going to penalties? There will be plenty of nerves from both sets of fans.
It is rather farcical that kick-off is slightly delayed by the lack of a ball! We are now back under way for 30 minutes of extra time. Could we even go to penalties?
Going to extra time
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We go a few minutes beyond the original five added minutes but there is the whistle from referee Andy Madley. We are going to extra time.
90+4 mins: Southampton 1 Middlesbrough 1 (1-1)
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Fry has received treatment but is now back to his feet. We are going to go at least two minutes over the initial five added on.
90+2 mins: Southampton 1 Middlesbrough 1 (1-1)
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There have been plenty of penalty appeals tonight and there is another. Fry swings to make a clearance inside his own box but Larin just gets a touch on the ball first. There is not a huge amount of contact from Fry on Larin but he did not get any of the ball. Referee Andy Madley has had plenty of decisions to make tonight. Fry has actually stayed down having hurt his knee in that moment.
90+1 mins: Southampton 1 Middlesbrough 1 (1-1)
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Larin has a good chance to score a late winner for Southampton but is denied by Brynn in the Middlesbrough goal.
90 mins: Southampton 1 Middlesbrough 1 (1-1)
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There will be five added minutes before what looks like being extra time.
88 mins: Southampton 1 Middlesbrough 1 (1-1)
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This does feel like it is going to extra time. Will either side risk it all to try and win it before then?
86 mins: Southampton 1 Middlesbrough 1 (1-1)
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Middlesbrough are having to negotiate plenty of crosses into their penalty area from corners and free-kicks. So far though they have negotiated them in this second half. Nerves aplenty inside St Mary’s/
84 mins: Southampton 1 Middlesbrough 1 (1-1)
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Scienza looked like he might come off in the first half but has made it all the way to this point. Stewart also heads off as Larin and Edozie come on.
82 mins: Southampton 1 Middlesbrough 1 (1-1)
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Change for Middlesbrough as Castledine is on for Strelec, who has had a quiet night up top for the visitors.
81 mins: Southampton 1 Middlesbrough 1 (1-1)
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It has been a little while since it all kicked off and now tensions boil over once more. Middlesbrough have a throw-in in the Southampton half but the ball boy does no give a ball to Targett. Targett then complains to the referee and Morris goes over to ask for the ball, which the Southampton subs do not like. However, that ball boy was completely in the wrong in that moment and there is no excuse for not handing over the ball to Targett.
78 mins: Southampton 1 Middlesbrough 1 (1-1)
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Middlesbrough defender Malanda is the latest player into the book for a foul on Azaz.
76 mins: Southampton 1 Middlesbrough 1 (1-1)
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Scienza wins Southampton a corner out on the left off Brittain and will take the corner he won. He sends it into a dangerous area but the last touch comes off Harwood-Bellis’ head and goes over the bar.
72 mins: Southampton 1 Middlesbrough 1 (1-1)
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Middlesbrough are going to be forced into a change here as Conway is down. If Middlesbrough do win this semi-final, Conway’s participation in the final you would imagine would be in doubt. Browne is coming on in Conway’s place. It was a very slow walk off from Conway, who looks in some pain.
70 mins: Southampton 1 Middlesbrough 1 (1-1)
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This game is on a knife edge and it is safe to say this really could go either way. Could we be set for extra time?
66 mins: Southampton 1 Middlesbrough 1 (1-1)
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The first change of the night is made by the hosts as Downes replaces Matsuki.
65 mins: Southampton 1 Middlesbrough 1 (1-1)
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Southampton have been much the better side so far this half and forced a series of dangerous corners. Boro are keeping their shape well but not able to pose much of a threat in the early stages.
63 mins: Southampton 1 Middlesbrough 1 (1-1)
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Southampton want a penalty. Fry makes a mess of a long ball forward into the Middlesbrough half and Stewart takes advantage. He lays it off to Scienza, who drives at the Southampton box. He takes it past Ayling and then goes to ground. Was there enough of a push from Ayling to force a penalty? Referee Andy Madley looks straight at it and decides no, which just about feels like the right call.
59 mins: Southampton 1 Middlesbrough 1 (1-1)
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Charles wins a corner off Fry out on the left for Southampton. Scienza clips it into a dangerous area and there is a bit of a mad scramble in the Middlesbrough box, including an acrobatic overhead kick attempt from Manning. Southampton keep it alive in the Middlesbrough penalty area and Manning’s shot takes a deflection off Ayling and goes just wide.
56 mins: Southampton 1 Middlesbrough 1 (1-1)
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Azaz is booked for a rash challenge on Targett. Azaz cannot believe the decision but he flew into that challenge and clearly referee Andy Madley did not like that.
53 mins: Southampton 1 Middlesbrough 1 (1-1)
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Southampton are causing Middlesbrough problems with corners and free-kicks into the penalty area.
51 mins: Southampton 1 Middlesbrough 1 (1-1)
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Was that a handball against Matsuki inside the Southampton box? Referee Andy Madley indicates the ball hit Matsuki’s shoulder but the replays clearly show it hit Matsuki’s arm. The only question then would be was it too close for Matsuki to react in time? If we did have VAR in use tonight, who knows what the decision would have been.
46 mins: Southampton 1 Middlesbrough 1 (1-1)
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Scienza, who picked up a knock in the first half, has come back out after half-time but is still not moving comfortably.
Whatever was said between Harwood-Bellis and Ayling will be reported as an incident by referee Andy Madley after the match. Sky Sports are reporting that Ayling is alledging the comments made by Harwood-Bellis were of a “discriminatory nature”.
Second half
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We are back under way on the south coast. A place at Wembley is at stake, with this semi-final very finely poised.
No changes for either side at the break.
HT stats
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Possession: Southampton 56%-44% Middlesbrough
Shots: 5-8
Shots on target: 3-3
Corners: 2-2
Touches in opposition box: 12-13
Half-time
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A dramatic first half is brought to an end and it is 1-1 at the break, with the tie also at 1-1. Plenty of tension has already boiled over in that first half and I think we can expect more in the second.
45+4 mins: Southampton 1 Middlesbrough 1 (1-1)
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Some of the play acting on show is getting quite farcical now, with the latest example being Southampton keeper Peretz theatrically going down to try and get Conway booked.
GOAL! Stewart brings Southampton level
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The home side are back on level terms just into added time. From a free-kick just outside the box on the left, Bree clips it to the back post, where Manning is free. His shot is saved by Brynn and the ball loops into the air. Stewart shows the most hunger to meet it and heads home. A big goal on the strike of half-time.
45 mins: Southampton 0 Middlesbrough 1 (0-1)
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Due to that lengthy delay during the clashes, there will be six added minutes.
42 mins: Southampton 0 Middlesbrough 1 (0-1)
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Manning’s delivery from the free-kick is into a dangerous area and, with Stewart right behind him, Ayling puts it over his own bar for a Southampton corner.
The delivery from Scienza is headed out to the edge of the box, where Azaz fires towards goal. It goes through a few bodies and Brynn gathers at the second attempt.
40 mins: Southampton 0 Middlesbrough 1 (0-1)
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Ayling is booked for bringing down Scienza and needs to be careful here. He was furious with the referee’s decision to penalise him and then book him. Ayling clashes with Harwood-Bellis before getting involved in a heated exchange with referee Andy Madley. Ayling is potentially talking himself into a second yellow. Something has clearly incensed him and the referee now goes over to talk to both managers. It then kicks off between both managers, who wag fingers at each other and have to be split. Both dugouts are then getting involved and it is all going off. Something has been said and it appears it was Harwood-Bellis who was the one who really got Ayling going, saying something that clearly riled Ayling up.
Ayling has now been booked for another foul on Scienza and things are threatening to boil over with the Fourth Official separating Eckert and Hellberg in the technical area and Ayling having to be dragged away from referee Andrew Madley by Dael Fry, the Boro captain.
36 mins: Southampton 0 Middlesbrough 1 (0-1)
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Southampton defender Wood is into the book for dissent.
32 mins: Southampton 0 Middlesbrough 1 (0-1)
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Stewart throws himself to the ground inside the Middlesbrough box and wants a penalty but referee Andy Madley waves those appeals away. Stewart went down far too easily. There is a very small shirt pull from Brittain but not enough for a penalty.
31 mins: Southampton 0 Middlesbrough 1 (0-1)
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Brittain drives a shot towards goal and it is flicked on by Fry, forcing Peretz into a decent save. However, the flag had gone up anyway against Fry.
30 mins: Southampton 0 Middlesbrough 1 (0-1)
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Southampton are awarded a free-kick out on the left after Ayling brought down Scienza, who stays down clutching his knee. The Southampton medics are brought on and Scienza is looking quite uncomfortable.
Fry does well to beat Harwood-Bellis to the header from Manning’s delivery and makes the clearance.
Scienza is back on but for how long?
Southampton’s mercurial talent Leo Scienza doesn’t look comfortable after going down under a heavy challenge from Boro veteran Luke Ayling. The Brazilian is hobbling and looking as though he might need to be replaced.
26 mins: Southampton 0 Middlesbrough 1 (0-1)
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Brittain drives towards the Southampton penalty area before shooting. He struck it well but the effort is easily saved by Peretz.
25 mins: Southampton 0 Middlesbrough 1 (0-1)
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Good interplay by Conway, Brittain and Whittaker in the final third results in Conway having a shot from just outside the box deflecting behind for a corner, which is headed away.
21 mins: Southampton 0 Middlesbrough 1 (0-1)
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Matsuki throws himself to ground inside the Middlesbrough penalty area looking for a foul but there is nothing in that.
17 mins: Southampton 0 Middlesbrough 1 (0-1)
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Middlesbrough nearly shoot themselves in the foot, giving away possession in and around their own penalty area, but they get away with it. Morris is the one at fault, trying to turn on the edge of his own box, but the visitors escape unscathed.
14 mins: Southampton 0 Middlesbrough 1 (0-1)
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Southampton have woken up now and are coming into this game, which has got the crowd going. This has not been a cagey start to this second leg.
13 mins: Southampton 0 Middlesbrough 1 (0-1)
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Middlesbrough’s goal scorer McGree is the first man into the book tonight for a nasty challenge on Charles. Not a red card but definitely a yellow.
12 mins: Southampton 0 Middlesbrough 1 (0-1)
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Southampton have barely ventured forward thus far but they should be on level terms. Manning has acres of space to charge down Southampton’s level and delivers a stunning cross to the back post, where he picks out Stewart but somehow the striker misses the target with his effort. That felt harder to miss than to score.
10 mins: Southampton 0 Middlesbrough 1 (0-1)
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Middlesbrough are on top and are eyeing up a second. Whittaker is found in space out on the right and drives into the Southampton penalty area. He fakes going onto his right and instead cuts inside onto his left. He tries to then beat Peretz at his near post but the effort hits the side netting. If Southampton do not wake up quickly, this game will get away from them.
9 mins: Southampton 0 Middlesbrough 1 (0-1)
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Stunned silence for a moment inside St Mary’s as McGree struck through the legs of Shea Charles before the home stands rallied again. Boro have started superbly here, just as they did at the Riverside.
7 mins: Southampton 0 Middlesbrough 1 (0-1)
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Southampton are all over the place and it looks like they have not got off the bus. Middlesbrough can smell blood and have started so quickly. They completely outplayed Southampton in the first half on Saturday but failed to take advantage of that dominance. But they have got an early goal tonight.
GOAL! McGree gives Middlesbrough lead
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The perfect start for the visitors down on the south coast. They have settled into the game quickly and that is rewarded with a goal. Brittain has far too much space down the right flank for Middlesbrough and picks out McGree in the centre of the box. From around 12 yards out, McGree takes it first time and finds the bottom corner with a clinical finish.
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 12, 2026Middlesbrough STUN the Saints on the South Coast! 🫨
Riley McGree breaks the deadlock at the start of the semi-final second leg! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/uWQ3ncLeKQ
3 mins: Southampton 0 Middlesbrough 0 (0-0)
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Strelec goes down inside the Southampton penalty area and the visitors are pleading for a penalty but those appeals are waved away. Matsuki does not get much of the ball as he swung to make the clearance and makes contact on Strelec. Obviously there is no VAR in action tonight but it would have been interesting had there been.
2 mins: Southampton 0 Middlesbrough 0 (0-0 agg)
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Plenty of boos from the home fans when Middlesbrough are in possession. You do not really need any added spice in a Championship play-off semi-final second leg but spygate has most certainly provided it.
Kick-off
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We are under way at St Mary’s. The tie is finely poised, level at 0-0, so it is all to play for on the south coast. Who will take on Hull in the final; Southampton or Middlesbrough?
Nearly ready for action
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There will be plenty of spice in this one tonight as the two sides emerge from the tunnel. Here is a reminder of how the two sides line up tonight:
Southampton: Peretz, Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Wood, Manning, Charles, Jander, Matsuki, Azaz, Scienza, Stewart.
Substitutes: Long, Stephens, Welington, Downes, Bragg, Fellows, Edozie, Archer, Larin.
Middlesbrough: Brynn, Ayling, Fry, Malanda, Brittain, Morris, McGree, Targett, Whittaker, Conway, Strelec.
Substitutes: Wildsmith, Gilbert, Munroe, Browne, Silvera, Castledine, Edmundson, Hansen, Sarmiento.
St Mary’s is being whipped up into a frenzy as the teams emerge from the tunnel. Ex-Saint, Mark ‘psycho’ Dennis is leading songs on the tannoy and there are plenty of pre-match pyrotechnics. Boro started like a steam train in the first leg, Saints will be hoping to do the same in front of their own supporters.
Pre-match thoughts of Southampton’s James Bree
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“The second leg at home is massive for us. We have had a nice welcome from the fans. We are looking forward to the atmosphere tonight and good backing from the crowd.”
Hostile reception
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The Middlesbrough coach received a very hostile welcome as it pulled into St Mary’s with objects being thrown at the windows and boos ringing out amid a sea of red smoke.
Recent form of both sides
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Southampton:
Middlesbrough 0 Southampton 0
Preston 1 Southampton 3
Southampton 2 Ipswich 2
Manchester City 2 Southampton 1
Southampton 2 Bristol City
Middlesbrough:
Middlesbrough 0 Southampton 0
Wrexham 2 Middlesbrough 2
Middlesbrough 5 Watford 1
Middlesbrough 1 Sheffield Wednesday 0
Ipswich 2 Middlesbrough 2
Visitors arriving
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How much can the Middlesbrough players use all the off-field drama to fuel them tonight?
Teams in full
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Southampton: Peretz, Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Wood, Manning, Charles, Jander, Matsuki, Azaz, Scienza, Stewart.
Substitutes: Long, Stephens, Welington, Downes, Bragg, Fellows, Edozie, Archer, Larin.
Middlesbrough: Brynn, Ayling, Fry, Malanda, Brittain, Morris, McGree, Targett, Whittaker, Conway, Strelec.
Substitutes: Wildsmith, Gilbert, Munroe, Browne, Silvera, Castledine, Edmundson, Hansen, Sarmiento.
Atmosphere building
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Exclusive from Tom Morgan
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Middlesbrough have hired leading sports lawyer Nick De Marco as their “spygate” case is expedited to a potential verdict before the Championship play-off final. A sporting sanction that could potentially expel Southampton from the final later this month is an available punishment to the panel hearing evidence.
Evidence is still being compiled in the case, however, so it is not yet guaranteed that Middlesbrough can secure an outcome prior to the final on May 23. Victory for the North East club in their semi-final leg tonight would significantly lessen pressure on the commission.
Nevertheless, Telegraph Sport understands those involved in the case are already working “urgently” to secure a verdict in time. Southampton were charged just four days ago by the EFL after Middlesbrough alleged they were the victims of an espionage attempt before the semi-final first leg. As previously reported, a wide range of action is ultimately available to the league including points deductions, fines as well as a potential expulsion via match forfeit from the final.
An alleged attempt to steal training-ground secrets included a “spy” using professional surveillance equipment, complete with a microphone to record voices and technology to livestream the footage back to someone watching remotely. Telegraph Sport also reported last week how a brief physical confrontation ensued when a member of Middlesbrough’s media team challenged the man, who refused to identify himself and then ran off.
Middlesbrough have since been told by whistleblowers that this is not the first time a member of Southampton’s analyst team has been sent to record opposition training sessions this season. CCTV footage has been studied by the club and the alleged perpetrator has been identified. He is said to be an analyst on Southampton’s website and has worked for the club for more than a year, having held similar positions at Premier League clubs. On Friday night, Southampton posted a statement confirming the club “will be fully cooperating with the League throughout this process”.
Middlesbrough turning to De Marco underlines their determination in the case. He has acted for over 45 UK clubs, numerous players, and agents, including key roles for Leicester City, Newcastle United, and Benjamin Mendy in recent years. The case is being heard by an independent panel but it has already been made aware of the timescale of the final in the hope the case can be concluded quickly.
How Hull booked their place in the final last night
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Wembley will hold no fear for Hull City after they marched into the Lions’ den and secured a victory that took them into the Championship play-off final.
Sergej Jakirovic’s side have defied logic and football metrics all season with their teamwork and unstinting commitment.
Substitutes Mohamed Belloumi and Joe Gelhardt scored the goals that sealed a 2-0 aggregate victory, but it was the Hull togetherness which overcame the hostility that awaited and baited them all evening in south London.
A delighted Jakirovic said: “It’s an amazing feeling. Like a dream. A great achievement for the club, for the players, for me. But we have experienced players who know what it takes to play in the play-offs.
Championship play-off schedule
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Play-off semi-final first legs
Hull 0 Millwall 0 - Friday May 8
Middlesbrough 0 Southampton 0 - Saturday May 9
Play-off semi-final second legs
Millwall 0 Hull 2 - Monday May 11
Southampton vs Middlesbrough - Tonight, 8pm
Play-off final
Saturday May 23, Wembley Stadium
‘Spygate’ looming large
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A place in the Championship play-off final is at stake on the south coast as Southampton host Middlesbrough at St Mary’s, with off-field matters being talked about as much as matters on the pitch. The first leg up in the north East on Saturday ended in a 0-0 draw but the build-up to the first leg was dominated by ‘spygate’. Middlesbrough claimed that a member of the Southampton coaching staff was found watching and recording a training session at the Middlesbrough training ground a few days before the first leg.
Southampton reached the play-off final two years ago, beating West Brom in the semi-final before overcoming Leeds in the final at Wembley. Tonda Eckert’s side are currently on a 20-game unbeaten run in the league, with their last defeat at St Mary’s coming back in January.
“We are at half-time now and I think you can interpret this in many different ways,” Southampton boss Tonda Eckert told BBC Radio Solent. “In the end it is important that we bring it to our side on Tuesday [tonight] and I think that the crowd and the supporters are going to give us a very big lift. The boys were outstanding over 90 minutes [on Saturday] and we take lots of the positives into the game on Tuesday [tonight].”
Since the early part of January, Middlesbrough’s only defeat away from home was at Championship winners Coventry. Middlesbrough did finish level on points with Southampton during the regular season.
“We are strong away from home, we have lost one of our 10 games,” Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg told BBC Radio Tees. “We have scored against every team since then, we know we are a very good football team. There was a lot of confidence from the performance [in the first leg] and we’ll use that going into this game and we know we can beat every team in this league. A lot of people like the way we play football. It is a very brave way of doing it. That first half of the play-off game was unbelievable. There are many that like the way we play, like the way we handle ourselves. We are honest in our approach in trying to play offensive football and there are a lot of people that like that.”
Hellberg has confirmed that midfielder Hayden Hackney, who has been linked with a move to Crystal Palace this summer, is still out with a calf injury.
The winner tonight will face Hull in the play-off final after they beat Millwall 2-0 on aggregate. Team news to follow shortly.