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Southampton secured a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Middlesbrough to book their place in the Championship play-off final as the ‘spygate’ scandal rumbles on.
Shea Charles struck a fortuitous extra-time winner in the 116th minute, an attempted cross, to seal the win after a fiery contest edged towards penalties.
The result sets up a Wembley showdown with Hull on Saturday, May 23.
Middlesbrough arrived at St Mary’s feeling aggrieved, having accused Saints of snooping on a training session ahead of Saturday’s goalless first leg on Teesside.
On the pitch, Riley McGree fired the visitors into an early lead, but Ross Stewart headed Southampton level in first-half stoppage time, ultimately forcing an additional 30 minutes.
The tetchy evening also saw rival managers Kim Hellberg and Tonda Eckert separated on the touchline in the first half following an apparent on-field complaint made by Middlesbrough defender Luke Ayling.
Southampton began a pivotal day in the season by asking for time to conduct an internal review into the circumstances of ‘spygate’ after being charged with breaching EFL regulations.
With animosity in the air, Boro’s bus was pelted with projectiles as it arrived at the stadium, while travelling fans unveiled a banner ahead of kick-off reading “20 game cheating run” in reference to Saints being unbeaten in the Championship since January.
That statistic looked in jeopardy inside five minutes as Middlesbrough emulated their weekend display by flying out of the blocks.
After being afforded time and space on the right wing, Boro full-back Callum Brittain delivered a low cross for midfielder McGree to spark pandemonium in the away end by sweeping a first-time finish into the bottom-left corner.
Southampton should have levelled in the 12th minute but unmarked striker Stewart – recalled as part of three changes from the weekend – volleyed wide from six yards following Ryan Manning’s cross.
Stewart later wanted a penalty for a shirt tug by Brittain before tempers flared in the technical areas after referee Andrew Madley called together Hellberg and Eckert following a conversation with Ayling.
Southampton set up a tantalising second period by equalising a minute into added time.
After Leo Scienza was fouled by Brittain, Manning’s volley from James Bree’s free-kick into the 18-yard box was parried into the air by Boro goalkeeper Sol Brynn, allowing Stewart to rise highest and nod home.
Southampton great Matt Le Tissier issued a rallying cry to home supporters during a half-time interview in which he accused Madley of attempting to be the centre of attention.
The match official dismissed penalty appeals at both ends – for a potential handball by Saints midfielder Kuryu Matsuki and then a possible foul by Ayling on Scienza – either side of Manning’s deflected shot clipping the base of Boro’s right post.
With the tension increasing as the clock ticked towards the additional period, Boro midfielder Aidan Morris sparked another flashpoint in his attempt to retrieve the ball from a ball boy.
Southampton substitute Cyle Larin was then denied a winner – and a possible penalty – in the closing stages of normal time.
A tense and largely uneventful extra-time period looked set to end in stalemate until Charles’ inswinging, left-footed cross from the right flew into the far corner to put Saints one win away from an instant Premier League return.
