WEMBLEY WELCOMES BACK THE TIGERS
Hull City has secured a spot in the Premier League, clinching promotion through a last-gasp victory against Middlesbrough in the Championship playoff final on Saturday. The solitary goal, arriving deep into stoppage time, sealed a 1-0 triumph at Wembley, marking the club's return to the top flight after a decade away.
The winning goal, scored by Oli McBurnie in the 90th+5 minute, fundamentally altered the narrative of a match where Middlesbrough had appeared dominant but sterile, failing to convert their control into decisive action. This dramatic late intervention propelled Hull City, who finished sixth in the regular Championship season, past their fifth-placed opponents.
Road to Wembley
Hull City's journey to the final was not without its own hurdles. Earlier, the Tigers overcame Millwall, who had finished third in the regular season. A goalless draw at home was followed by a 2-0 away win in the semi-final return leg. In that crucial match, Algeria's Mohamed Belloumi opened the scoring in the 64th minute before assisting Joe Gelhardt for the second goal in the 79th, effectively securing their passage to Wembley.
Read More: North Queensland Cowboys beat South Sydney Rabbitohs on Sunday
Middlesbrough's path to the final was marked by an unusual circumstance. Initially eliminated in the semi-finals by Southampton, they were reinstated after Southampton's exclusion. The Saints were penalized for espionage, specifically for spying on an opponent's training session.
The Bigger Picture
The promotion means Hull City will participate in the Premier League for the first time since the 2016-2017 season. Alongside Hull City, Coventry and Ipswich Town, who finished first and second respectively in the regular Championship season, had already earned direct promotion to the Premier League. The Championship, a gruelling 46-match regular season, demands significant endurance and consistency, a test both Hull City and Middlesbrough navigated before facing off in the high-stakes playoff finale.
Read More: Hull City vs Middlesbrough EFL Final at Wembley 24 May 2026
