Shea Charles races away in delight after shattering Middlesbrough with Southampton’s late winner.
Photograph: Sean Ryan/IPS/Shutterstock
Shea Charles hurls himself on the turf after scoring his extra-time winner.
Photograph: Graham Hunt/ProSports/Shutterstock
Ross Stewart heads home Southampton’s equaliser before half-time.
Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA
Southampton booked a spot in the Championship playoff final against Hull City, but the path there was anything but straightforward, overshadowed by allegations of foul play that dominated the build-up to a tense second leg that stretched over 130 minutes. If found guilty of cheating, Middlesbrough will demand adequate punishment for the Saints. The question remains: will Kim Hellberg’s side even train for the next few weeks in case of an unprecedented outcome?
Shea Charles once again delivered in a big moment, striking in the 116th minute to send Tonda Eckert’s side to Wembley. The midfielder previously scored the winner to knock Arsenal out of the FA Cup quarter-finals, netted a 96th-minute winner in a 4-3 comeback against Leicester in February, and now added another. Out on the right flank with a penalty shootout looming, Charles sent a left-footed cross that sailed past Boro defender Dael Fry and into the far post.
‘It breaks my heart’: emotional Hellberg on spying row after loss at Southampton
The match itself was packed with flashpoints, not to mention the pre-match controversy. Late in the first half, referee Andy Madley spoke to both head coaches after Taylor Harwood-Bellis allegedly made discriminatory comments about Luke Ayling’s stammer. Deep into the second half, a Southampton ballboy clashed with Aidan Morris after refusing to hand the ball to Matt Targett.
The backdrop to the tie was extraordinary, with the Championship’s “spygate 2.0” subplot taking centre stage after the English Football League charged Southampton with two counts of misconduct on the eve of Friday’s first leg. On the morning of the game, Saints chief executive Phil Parsons confirmed an internal review but asked for time to present their side to the independent disciplinary commission.
Some Southampton fans embraced the accusations—which the club have not denied and are not expected to contest—by wearing fancy dress that mocked the spying scandal. One supporter wore a full camouflage ghillie suit, while others simply carried binoculars.
There was never any shortage of needle. From the moment Middlesbrough’s team coach arrived under a barrage of missiles, a charged atmosphere ensured a busy night for officials. Before kick-off, Eckert emerged from the tunnel to shake hands with Hellberg on the edge of the away technical area. After 38 minutes, fourth official Tom Nield found himself in the middle as the two coaches exchanged words, with an incensed Eckert gesturing toward his opposite number.
Southampton grew into the game but trailed early to a first-time strike by Riley McGree, who converted Callum Brittain’s cross from near the penalty spot after just over four minutes. McGree’s finish spun into the bottom corner past Daniel Peretz, and the Boro midfielder showed restraint by celebrating with an emu-like mimic, a tradition from his A-League days with Adelaide United.
Boro had 21 shots in the reverse leg, five on target compared to Southampton’s none, and registered more than five times as many touches in the opposition box. They seized their first chance here, and Morgan Whittaker rattled the side netting on 10 minutes. After that, the hosts turned up the pressure. Ross Stewart hooked wide after latching onto Ryan Manning’s superb cross, and Casper Jander pickpocketed Morris on the edge of Boro’s box but couldn’t find a teammate.
Southampton’s equaliser came from a James Bree free-kick just before half-time stoppage time. Bree found an unmarked Manning at the back post, whose volley thudded into the ground and was saved by Sol Brynn. The danger wasn’t over, and Stewart climbed highest to head in across goal. The home crowd roared to “Zombie Nation,” and chants of “We spy when we want” echoed through St Mary’s.
The match remained breathless. Former Boro midfielder Finn Azaz was booked for a slide tackle on Matt Targett. Referee Madley faced more big calls, notably when Ayling put his hand on Léo Scienza’s chest in the box, destabilising the advancing Brazilian after Stewart outmuscled Fry. Eckert screamed injustice on the touchline, but Madley waved play on. Minutes earlier, Ayling had diverted Manning’s low shot wide during chaotic defending. Southampton were in the ascendancy, and Boro were forced into a change when Tommy Conway limped off.
Eckert introduced Flynn Downes for control, then Cyle Larin and Sam Edozie. Larin forced a save from Brynn at the start of six minutes of second-half stoppage time, by which point Boro looked leggy. McGree was penalised for a tired challenge on Azaz, and Fry collided with Larin. The pattern continued into extra time, with Brittain booked for fouling Edozie. The game was full of unforced errors, and Saints seized on Boro’s exhaustion.