Saints Survive Spygate Storm to reach Wembley in Extra time thriller

Shea Charles struck a fortuitous extra-time winner as Southampton ensured the ‘spygate’ scandal will rumble on — booking their place in the Championship play-off final with a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Middlesbrough.

It was a night that had everything: controversy, confrontation, a manager’s touchline bust-up, and ultimately, a moment of accidental genius that broke Teesside hearts.With a fiery contest edging towards a penalty shoot-out, midfielder Charles found the net with an attempted cross in the 116th minute to set up a Wembley showdown with Hull on Saturday, May 23. Charles was aiming for a teammate. The bottom corner had other ideas.

The Build up : Hospitality in the air

The two games were played under a cloud, with Southampton having been charged by the English Football League with a breach of its regulations following accusations that unauthorised filming of Middlesbrough’s training took place last week.

With animosity in the air, Boro’s bus was pelted with projectiles as it arrived at the stadium, while travelling fans unveiled a banner reading “20 game cheating run” in reference to Saints being unbeaten in the Championship since January. This was never going to be a quiet evening on the south coast.

First Half: McGree Stuns St Mary’s Stewart rescues points.

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. A moment that looked costly. It wasn’t.

The first half descended into chaos on the touchline. Tempers flared with Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg and Southampton’s Tonda Eckert having to be physically separated as referee Andy Madley had a word. Sky Sports television said Boro defender Luke Ayling had earlier reported Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis to Madley for using “discriminatory language.” But just as the half looked set to end with Boro in front, Manning’s volley from James Bree’s free-kick was parried into the air by Boro goalkeeper Sol Brynn, allowing Stewart to rise highest and nod home. 1-1. Game on.

Second Half and Extra time: Nerve shredding tension

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.

Boro had yet to have an effort on target in the second period. Southampton were the bigger threat but it only takes one chance, one opportunity.

Substitute Cyle Larin was denied a winner and a possible penalty in the closing stages of normal time. So into extra time we went, with Wembley on the line for both sides.

Then came the moment that will define this tie forever. Shea Charles scored the decisive goal in the 116th minute when his curling cross found the bottom corner. Accidental? Absolutely. Stunning? Without question. The curled left-footed shot bounced in off the inside of the post and St. Mary’s erupted.

The Bigger Picture

Southampton is seeking an immediate return to the Premier League after relegation last season. Before that, it was in the top flight from 2012-23.

That final is the richest one-off game in world football, with the winner assured a windfall of at least £200 million ($270 million) in future earnings via things like prize money and broadcast revenue in the Premier League.

The spygate saga, however, is far from over. Any punishment would likely be meted out before the play-off final with Hull on May 23. Southampton could yet face consequences but for now, they’re going to Wembley.