Middlesbrough vs Brighton is available in live streaming.
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“When (referee) Mike Dean blew the final whistle in the play-off final previous year, the only emotion was of total desolation, but when he blew the final whistle this time we went to the other end of the spectrum”.
Drawing does seem to be the problem: Brighton have drawn more games on the road than Middlesbrough have in total, and if a couple of those had been turned into victories, they wouldn’t require this final day nerve-shredder to earn promotion. I think for the next couple of years, maintaining that status will be seen as a positive.
“This has been one of the most competitive seasons in recent history at the top of the Championship”, Richard Battle, senior manager in Deloitte’s sports business group, said. “It’s unbelievable”, Karanka said.
“The chairman (Steve Gibson) deserves it because he’s worked so hard to get this club back into the Premier League. Two and a half years later, we are in the Premier League”.
Brighton manager Chris Hughton was magnanimous after his side’s draw with the Seagulls now facing a play-off semi-final with Sheffield Wednesday – with the first leg being at Hillsborough on Friday.
Aitor Karanka’s side took the lead through Cristhian Stuani who tapped in from close range after some brilliant work from David Nugent.
Stuani had surprisingly been selected ahead of former Liverpool and England winger Stewart Downing and Karanka’s bold gamble was paying rich dividends.
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.
Karanka demurred, maintaining it was a red card challenge but revealed that, despite a nasty gash to a shin, Ramírez would be “fit enough to celebrate”.
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Middlesbrough, out of the Premier League for the last seven years, are in the stronger position going into Saturday’s encounter, with home advantage knowing that avoiding defeat will take them into the Premier League.
