Middlesbrough will return to the Premier League for the first time in seven years after clinching an automatic Championship promotion spot.
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“I told them last season we played the (play-off) final at Wembley and this season we have the final at the Riverside with our crowd and a better squad, with more maturity”, Karanka said.
Middlesbrough FC and Brighton & Hove Albion will do battle tomorrow (7 May) in a game which could benefit the victor to the tune of £290m.
The Clarets were crowned Sky Bet Championship champions with a thumping 3-0 win over already-relegated Charlton at The Valley.
“He said: “Don’t worry, we’ll do it next year” – and he put his hand in his pocket again to make sure we got the extra points we needed”.
“As much as the manager and players all deserve promotion, Steve Gibson deserves it more than anyone”. I think for the next couple of years, maintaining that status will be seen as a positive.
When Brighton kicked off their season against Nottingham Forest on a warm Friday evening in early August, few Seagulls supporters could have imagined what was to come.
The increase in revenue for the promoted team could rise to in excess of $420 million if it survives the first season in the Premier League, Deloitte said.
While Saturday’s victor will join Burnley as the second team automatically promoted to the Premier League, the loser has to refocus in time for a play-off semi-final against Sheffield Wednesday.
Aitor Karanka’s side took the lead through Cristhian Stuani who tapped in from close range after some brilliant work from David Nugent.
That figure could grow by about 41 percent if the promoted team avoids relegation in their first season in the top flight.
The Uruguay global threatened a second goal when he met Albert Adomah’s cross with a powerful volley which was cleared off the line by Brighton defender Connor Goldson.
Brighton has never played in the Premier League, which started in 1992.
Anthony Knockaert delivered a ideal free-kick and midfielder Stephens rose highest at the far post to loop a header over Middlesbrough goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopoulos.
Stephens was then involved in a heated spat with Ramirez and was sent off shortly afterwards after catching the Uruguayan on the shin with a raised boot – a challenge which resulted in a tearful Ramirez being carried from the pitch on a stretcher.
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Middlesbrough fans near the North Sea Producer ship outside the stadium.
