Championship
Hull City 1-0 Middlesbrough: Championship playoff final – live reaction
Scott Murray
Sat 23 May 2026 19.18 CESTFirst published on Sat 23 May 2026 15.00 CEST
News
https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/may/23/hull-city-v-middlesbrough-championship-playoff-final-live
Oli McBurnie is asked about his omission from the Scotland World Cup squad, and tells Sky: “Football is a game of opinions … I felt I gave myself as good a chance as I could to get into the squad … that’s the manager’s decision and at the end of the day I have to respect that … some of them boys in that squad are my best friends in football … so I’ll be supporting them from [big smile begins to play across his face] a warm, sunny place with a beer, hoping they go as far as they can!”
Harry Maguire’s PR team can copy and paste that for free.
Hull boss Sergej Jakirović talks to Sky Sports. “It’s an amazing feeling … we did it … we suffered a lot all the game … they are very happy with the ball … they didn’t get great chances … we agreed that [Oli McBurnie] would score 15 goals [he’s scored 25 this season] … since my first meeting [with owner Acun Ilıcalı] we clicked … he wanted to take me immediately … 100 percent support … without his trust we cannot do anything … I think they already have a player list for the Premier League … they know what I need for our football style … our main aim is 4-3-3 … sometimes we adapt … we are on the same page … Monday is open bus!”
As for what his players imbibe during this evening’s celebrations: “I am not a police officer … if there is a problem on the pitch then it’s a problem … I don’t care about private life at all.”
Post-match postbag. “Finally! A result no-one can argue with. Congratulations Hull!” – Daniel King
“Well, that was a giggle. I was born in Hull in the winter of 1963 as my parents were snowed in there for a few weeks and couldn’t get home. I’ve never been back. So I’m naturally delighted” – Bob Kurac
“The 1985 DFB-Pokal final is not only an important moment in the history of Krefeld, but also represents the career peak of one of Iceland’s greatest footballers, Lárus Guðmundsson, who played for Bayer Uerdingen. I’m a fan of VfB since I was a boy thanks to another of Iceland’s greatest footballers, Ásgeir Sigurvinsson, who was the creative hub of the great Stuttgart side of the 80s. I’ve been trying to focus on other things today than the final, but a chance to get one over on Bayern is hard to keep out one’s mind” – Kári Tulinius
Poor Middlesbrough , who still haven’t won a game at Wembley. It’s now a six-visit run that stretches back to the 1990 Full Members’ Cup final, when they were beaten 1-0 by Chelsea. They’ve since drawn 1-1 with Leicester in the 1997 League Cup final (going on to lose a replay at Hillsborough); lost the 1997 FA Cup final 2-0 to Chelsea; lost the 1998 League Cup final, again 2-0 to Chelsea; the 2015 play-off final, 2-0 to Norwich; and now this. Just the one goal scored in all that time, by Fabrizio Ravanelli against Leicester. Meanwhile it’s now three play-off final wins out of three for Hull.
A big smile on Lewie Coyle’s face now, as he traipses up the Wembley stairs, receives his medal, points to the sky, waves to his family, and eventually hoists the play-off trophy! Their goalscoring hero stands beside Coyle and hollers in delight. Their popular coach Sergej Jakirović arrives to wave the silverware about too. Acun Ilıcalı behind them hugging everyone in sight. Steve Gibson obviously not so cheerful, but he’s sportingly remained in situ to watch Hull pick up their prize and celebrate. Hull City are promoted to the Premier League!
Hull captain Lewie Coyle gives an emotional interview to Sky. “It’s tough … there’s just one man I want to celebrate with … he’s not with us … I look up to the sky in every game … I had a little look up there today … he’s with me … I don’t think there’s many people who thought I could captain a side to the Premier League … even saying it out loud seems a little bit wild … there’s certainly one man who would have believed in me and that’s my old man … he would have been saying ‘You can do it son, fuck ‘em!’ and I know I swore and I shouldn’t and I apologise but I had to get it in there because that was the way my old man spoke … he got us over the line today.”
At which point Oli McBurnie comes over to give his skipper a kiss. Given everything they’ve been put through this week, and on the pitch today, Hull will deserve their party tonight.
The match-winner Oli McBurnie talks to Sky Sports. “For the first time ever I think I’m speechless … it’s been a long hard season … that game today sums us up … we knew we weren’t going to have all of the ball … we’ve not won a game this season when we’ve had more of the ball than the opposition … so it was tough out there with the heat … Middlesbrough are a top, top team … we felt we’d have one chance … it was written for me to get it … I was knackered so I just tried to get a good contact … it’s popped up for me … I was looking forward to this game so much I couldn’t sleep … I’m just delighted … I can’t speak highly enough of the lads.”
Hull dance in delight! Oli McBurnie mobbed, the hero of the piece! In the posh seats, Hull owner Acun Ilıcalı holds his hands to his mouth, barely able to comprehend the moment. Eventually he goes over to his Boro counterpart Steve Gibson, who offers him congratulations with a warm smile and a hug. That’s a lovely sporting gesture. Meanwhile on the pitch, poor Sol Brynn is inconsolable. Hayden Hackney in tears as well. Could this be his last game for his boyhood club?
FULL TIME: Hull City 1-0 Middlesbrough
Hull City are back in the Premier League!
90 min +14: … but it comes to nothing. And still we play on. Crooks looks to make sure with a shot from the edge of the box, but that’s blocked. No matter, though, because …
90 min +13: But it’s not! And Ayling is about to launch a hail Mary from distance …
90 min +12: A free kick for Boro in the centre circle. Brynn goes up, desperate for redemption. Brittain whacks it long. Too long. Goal kick. That should be that.
90 min +11: Ajayi deals with a couple of crosses, then the flag goes up for offside. Hull so close now!
90 min +10: Boro can’t get anything going. A close-up of poor Brynn, who utters a clear and unambiguous EFF word. Delight for Hull, who have come on strong in these final stages; such a shame it’s required a fall guy to decide the game. Let’s concentrate on Hirakawa’s wingplay and McBurnie’s poaching skills instead.
90 min +8: … while Hull replace Slater and Coyle with Lundstram and McNair.
90 min +7: Boro replace Targett and Browne with Ibeh and Sarmiento.
90 min +6: That was fine wingplay by Hirakawa, who has been a thorn in Boro’s side down this left flank since coming on. But it was dreadful handling by poor Brynn, who looks utterly bereft. McBurnie is booked for his celebration. Like he’ll care. Why isn’t he going to the World Cup with Scotland again?!
GOAL! Hull City 1-0 Middlesbrough (McBurnie 90+5)
Hirakawa advances down the left again. He’s been a constant threat. He sends a low cross into the centre. Brynn gets down to meet it, but can only cushion the ball into the path of McBurnie, who lashes home from six yards! Wembley erupts! McBurnie takes off his shirt and races away! Brynn crumbles to the floor in despair.
90 min +4: Hughes is fine to continue.
90 min +3: Hughes gets the proper once-over.
90 min +2: Brittain and Hackney combine well down the right, a couple of back-and-forths up and down the channel, but can’t quite open Hull up. Ajayi batters the ball clear … and straight into his team-mate Hughes. On comes the physio.
90 min: Whittaker drifts in from the left and aims for the top-left corner, but slices his shot wildly out of play, miles wide left of the target. There will be eight additional minutes.
89 min: Some space for Morris, 30 yards out. He tries his luck but the shot slams into the nearest amber shirt, the nanosecond the ball leaves his boot.
87 min: Hughes and Hansen are lectured by the referee for some off-the-ball shoving. There’s no real aggression from either player, just petulance.
86 min: Hirakawa advances down the left and wedges a cross towards the far post. McBurnie’s not there. But Hull are beginning to get on top during these closing stages.
84 min: Hirakawa drives down the middle towards the Boro box. Morris arrives from nowhere to take the ball off him, just before the Hull sub can get close enough to shoot.
82 min: Coyle loops a cross in from the left. Targett looks to have it covered at the far post, but Gelhardt scuttles around him and, on the turn, hooks a shot across the face of goal and wide of the left-hand post. Brynn was beaten all ends up. That was fine opportunism from Gelhardt. Something out of next to nothing.
80 min: Hackney slips a pass down the inside-left channel to release Hansen into the box! Hansen opens his body and sidefoots goalwards, but it’s straight at Pandur, who nevertheless has to make a superb reaction save to divert the ball across the face of goal and inches wide of the right-hand post. Then the flag goes up, correctly, for offside.
79 min: Hackney drops deep and nearly releases Brittain with a probing diagonal pass. It’s cut out by Hughes, just in time.
77 min: Hull make a double change before the restart. Hirakawa and Drameh come on for Giles and Belloumi.
75 min: McGree can’t continue, though small mercies, at least he’s able to amble off without limping too much. Hansen takes his place.
74 min: The physio comes on. As McGree gets the once-over, it’s a chance for the players to take on more fluid.
73 min: McGree overstretches for a loose ball and goes down clutching the back of his left leg. He immediately looks over to the bench with a defeated grimace, before covering his eyes. The poor chap’s day looks over.
72 min: Targett crosses low from the left, but with Whittaker lurking, Egan hooks clear. “I’m with Daniel King, from the pre-match blog,” announces Jeremy Boyce, “in so much as Hull City should put up or shut up as regards legal action. They’ve got an unexpected chance at the biggest money-spinner they could imagine, claimed on the last day of the season, and they’re complaining, threatening legal action ? The trawlermen would be most aggrieved, they gave all and never questioned. Grow up, enjoy your day, play footie, may the better team team win.”
70 min: Hackney takes to the pitch for the first time since March. He’s warmly greeted as he replaces Strelec.
69 min: Drinks break!
67 min: McGree juggles himself into a spot of space, 30 yards out, and pings a pass wide right for Whittaker, who enters the box and attempts to jink past Giles. He can’t do it, and the ball clanks off him and out for a goal kick. Neat play by McGree, though, with that elegant spin.
65 min: The pace drops once again … though a roar goes up anyway, as the Boro fans spot Hackney getting stripped to come on.
63 min: Hull make the first change. Millar is replaced by Gelhardt.
62 min: Ajayi into a bit of space on the right. There are amber shirts in the middle, so it’s a bit of a disappointment when he larrups a wild cross miles over the bar.
61 min: Whittaker slips a ball down the middle for McGree, whose shot from the edge of the box is blocked. Hull counter, Belloumi cutting in from the right and taking a whack that flies straight at Brynn. Suddenly, a lot better from both sides.
59 min: Middlesbrough slip back into passive possession. There’s been no real rhythm to this match. No real story threatening to unfold.