Shea Charles struck a fortuitous extra-time winner as Southampton ensured the ‘spygate’ scandal will rumble on by booking their place in the Championship play-off final with a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Middlesbrough.
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.
Boro arrived at St Mary’s feeling aggrieved after accusing Saints of snooping on a training session ahead of Saturday’s goalless first leg on Teesside.
Riley McGree fired the visitors into an early lead but Ross Stewart headed Southampton level in first-half stoppage time to ultimately force an additional 30 minutes.
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Spygate cloud
Tonda Eckert insisted Southampton are taking the ‘spygate’ scandal “very seriously” after his side booked a place in the Championship play-off final.
Asked if he was aware what the potential punishment could be as his club awaits the outcome of independent disciplinary commission’s investigation, Southampton head coach Eckert said: “No, I don’t know.
“It’s not easy for me to not comment, there’s just nothing I can say at the moment, because it’s an ongoing investigation.
“We’re taking the matter very seriously. I will say something. I just can’t say it now.”
Prompted by Southampton’s communications director, Eckert ultimately walked out of the press conference having been asked directly if he was “a cheat”.
Shea Charles won it for Southampton
(Andrew Matthews/PA)
Match action
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.
Second half
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.
Small margins
Amid suggestions that the Saints could be thrown out of the play-offs if they are found guilty, Hellberg was keeping his own counsel after the final whistle.
Reports in the north-east have suggested Boro would continue to prepare for the final regardless of the result on the south coast in anticipation of a guilty verdict, although again Hellberg was saying little.
He said: “I haven’t planned anything for that. We had a plan if we were going to win the game; now we haven’t, so now I’m very, very disappointed about that.
“I think over two legs we were good enough to do it, but it’s small margins playing against a very, very good team, so congratulations to the players of Southampton and the fans of Southampton for the win.”
READ MORE: Millwall 0-2 Hull City (Agg 0-2): Tigers roar into the Championship play-off final
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