The Saints beat Boro, a bus was hit by objects, managers row, reports of alleged discrimination, and a flashpoint with a ballboy.
Coming into this Championship playoff semi final second leg, we knew that the winners would face Hull City at Wembley on Saturday, the 23rd of May after beating Millwall 2-0.
Tonda Eckert’s side were unbeaten in the league since the 17th of January, Kim Hellberg’s Middlesbrough hadn’t lost in their last six on the road.
Before the game, Boro’s team coach were struck by objects upon its arrival at St Mary’s, some fans of both clubs dressed up as spies, bushes and in camouflage.
A group Southampton fans chanted “We’ll spy when we want, we’ll spy when we want. We are Southampton, we’ll spy when we want!”
It comes after the EFL charged Southampton after Middlesbrough reported their opponents for spying before their first leg clash at the Riverside.
A Southampton performance analyst was allegedly caught recording Boro’s training session and took pictures of tactics on Thursday.
Southampton haven’t denied the allegation but said in a statement they were requesting additional time to conduct an internal review over the matter before issuing their response.
Missiles thrown at #Boro’s team coach on its arrival at St Mary’s pic.twitter.com/OQ0FLlE2n6
— Dominic Shaw (@DomShawEcho) May 12, 2026
Southampton fans ahead of the Championship playoff semi final 2nd leg against Middlesbrough – “We’ll spy when we want, we’ll spy when we want. We are Southampton, we’ll spy when we want!” #saintsfc #boro #utb
Credit – @sfcwxlpic.twitter.com/BcSUJY2OKh
— Fan Banter (@fan_banter) May 12, 2026
The Spygate 2.0 costumes are out in full force at St Mary’s! 😅🕵 pic.twitter.com/xhaQIP0Fxq
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 12, 2026
“We are Southampton, we spy when we want”#saintsfc pic.twitter.com/E7rdzYSRCl
— The Saint Centre (@TheSaintCentre) May 12, 2026
Nothing to see here 🫣
Southampton fans found the funny side of the ‘spygate saga’ ahead of their play-off semi-final second leg against Middlesbrough tonight 🌳🔎 pic.twitter.com/RCOUvwy2iD
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) May 12, 2026
The game began with boos for every touch by a Middlesbrough player on the pitch, a penalty appeal waved away after David Strelec went down in the box following a challenge from Caspar Jander.
Boro then silenced the home fans, Riley McGree breaking the deadlock after just 4 minutes.
Southampton had to level on the 12th minute, Ryan Manning with a ball into Ross Stewart, only to send it just past the post from six yards.
Middlesbrough STUN the Saints on the South Coast! 🫨
Riley McGree breaks the deadlock at the start of the semi-final second leg! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/uWQ3ncLeKQ
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 12, 2026
The Saints soon sparked back into life, the home fans found their voices again.
Some calls for a penalty from Southampton fans when Kuryu Matsuki went down in the box, having been muscled off the ball.
Another spot kick appeal after Callum Brittain pulled back Ross Stewart’s shirt in the box, Tonda Eckert angered by that one.
It got heated on the touchline with half time approaching, Kim Hellberg and Tonda Eckert needed to be separated and talked to by referee Andy Madley speaks to them.
Middlesbrough assistant Adi Viveash also dealt with by the fourth official.
Jonathan Oakes reported: “There were words exchanged between Ayling and Harwood-Bellis. Ayling said the words Harwood-Bellis used towards him were of a discriminatory nature, and other players around heard the comment as well. It prompted the referee Andy Madley to speak to both managers. Madley said he will be reporting the incident.”
It’s all threatening to boil over at St. Mary’s 😬🌡️ pic.twitter.com/TYTqDBCrMd
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 12, 2026
“Ayling says that the words Harwood-Bellis used towards him were of a discriminatory nature… Andy Madeley will be reporting the incident”
Jonathan Oakes reports what happened between the players in the first half, prompting the managers to clash on the touchline. pic.twitter.com/oNnPOFyxHd
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 12, 2026
Then on the 45th minute, an equaliser for the hosts. Leo Scienza sent a free-kick towards the back post, Ryan Manning having a shot saved by Boro stopper Sol Brynn, only for Ross Stewart to head home the rebound.
Curtis Davies on punditry for Sky Sports Football: “The equaliser came at the perfect time for Southampton, and the worst time for Boro. Stewart flies in for the header.”
Jobi McAnuff on Sky Sports Football: “Middlesbrough lost a bit of their composure leading up to the goal, and it gave Southampton that opportunity.”
Ross Stewart leaps highest to pull Southampton level on the stroke of half-time! ✈️ pic.twitter.com/wYnJQ2W0Mr
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 12, 2026
Jo Tessem (Ex-Southampton player on BBC Radio Solent), as per BBC Sport’s live blog: “We have managed to claw our way back. Scienza has started to turn and run the way and it’s changed the game. You have to fight, you have to win the battle, I think we are just about winning it at the minute, though Boro are good in the middle and going forward.”
Neil Maddison (Ex-Middlesbrough midfielder on BBC Radio Tees): “Middlesbrough were the better side in the first 10 minutes but Southampton grew into it with their dangerous set-pieces. Manning’s have been pinpoint. Boro need to get the ball to Tommy Conway more because I think he’s got the beating of Bree.45 more to go, it’s all to play for.”
Another penalty shout on 51 minutes, this time from Middlesbrough after the ball appeared to strike the arm of Matsuki in the box.
Lost count with the penalty shouts in this game. Another on 63 minutes, with Scienza making into the box and was blatantly pushed by Ayling. The referee not giving any of these.
Players showed signs of tiredness heading into the final 10 minutes of the second half, clumsy challenges, a booking, and a Southampton ballboy not giving the ball to Matt Targett, leading to Saints subs running over.
An added time penalty shout, Dael Fry goes attempted to clear a ball, Cyle Larin got a toe to it then went down. Referee not interested.
With Dael Fry being treated to, referee spoke with Harwood-Bellis and Ayling who were seen trying to make up after that incident in the first half.
Southampton see penalty shouts waved away for this Luke Ayling challenge on Léo Scienza ❌ pic.twitter.com/oY01zQBcWh
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 12, 2026
More drama at St. Mary’s! 😬⚔️ pic.twitter.com/H2zLu3FIn7
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 12, 2026
Credit – Sky Sports
The game went to extra time, the Saints looking the stronger, Boro rather tired.
Finally, we had a winner, in the 116th minute, Shea Charles in off the post. Middlesbrough then pushed to try and get a late equaliser, with time running out, every shot they took was blocked.
Southampton celebrate knowing the independent disciplinary commission have a decision to make, whether that issuing a fine, a points deduction or removing Southampton from the play-offs.
The final whistle blew, stewards lined up around the pitch to stop any fans from invading the pitch.
SOUTHAMPTON TAKE THE LEAD DEEP INTO EXTRA-TIME!
Shea Charles’ cross evades everybody and the Saints have one foot in the play-off final! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/H9w1DXeSjG
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 12, 2026
Shea Charles on Sky Sports Football:
“It was! It was a cross-shot.”
“I thought I’d put it into an area and it’s gone all the way through and gone in.
“It was an incredible moment.
“None of us are used to extra-time. It was really tough against a really good team but thankfully we came out on top.”
Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg on Sky Sports Football:
“I am unbelievably proud of how the players have played and fought for two games. The support, how we play football. I’m proud of all the things we’ve done.”
”It was a cross-shot!” 😅
Shea Charles on his goal that sent Southampton to the Championship play-off final 🏆 pic.twitter.com/2Jct4g3WFL
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 12, 2026
“We had a plan if we were going to win the game… I’m not going to make any suggestions, we will see what happens.”
Kim Hellberg remains tight-lipped about Southampton possibly being removed from the play-offs. pic.twitter.com/7Y4dbUxtIg
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 12, 2026
“The game was a big advert for the quality of the Championship.”“Kim Hellberg’s accused you of cheating!”“It’s not for me to comment.”
Tonda Eckert bats away questions around the possibility of Southampton being removed from the play-offs 👀 pic.twitter.com/7g8UrgLFOj
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 12, 2026
