Hull City secured promotion to the Premier League after a dramatic 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough in Saturday’s Championship playoff final at Wembley Stadium.
The decisive moment came deep into stoppage time when Oli McBurnie scored in the fourth minute of added time to send Hull back to the English top flight for the first time since the 2016/17 season.
McBurnie capitalised on a costly mistake from Middlesbrough goalkeeper Sol Brynn, who parried Yu Hirakawa’s cross straight into his path.
The victory completed a remarkable turnaround for Hull, who narrowly escaped relegation to League One last season on goal difference.
Promotion is expected to earn the Tigers at least £205 million over the next three seasons through increased broadcast, commercial and matchday revenues, according to Deloitte. That figure could rise to £365 million if Hull avoid relegation next season.
The playoffs had earlier been overshadowed by controversy after Southampton F.C. were expelled for filming a Middlesbrough training session before their semi-final clash.
An independent commission ruled that Southampton manager Tonda Eckert had authorised the spying operation, while the English Football League confirmed the club admitted to breaching league regulations.
The decision handed Middlesbrough an unexpected second chance at promotion, but Hull produced a disciplined display under Bosnian manager Sergej Jakirović.
Hull’s promotion run has been one of the Championship’s biggest surprises after the club battled through a transfer embargo earlier in the season.
Jakirovic’s side became the first sixth-placed team to win promotion through the playoffs since Blackpool in 2010.
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