Southampton scored late in extra time to see off a challenge from Middlesbrough and book a place in the final against Hull City at Wembley for a chance to return to the Premier League.
Shea Charles’ cross curled in to seal a 2-1 win and cap a remarkable turnaround in form for Saints after a poor start to the season.
The Saints were 18 points behind Boro until last February, but have finished the season in style as they bid for an immediate return to the top flight.
After a scoreless first leg at the weekend, Middlesbrough scored first when Riley McGree found plenty of space inside the box to cleverly put in a low cross from Callum Brittain – the first goal in Boro’s seven play-off matches.
Southampton were wobbly but created a great chance for Ross Stewart, but he shot wide from a brilliant cross from Ryan Manning.
The game swung from end to end in an open and entertaining first half, with the Saints equalizing in stoppage time. Manning’s shot was blocked by Sol Breen and Stewart brilliantly climbed up and headed across the goal and into the net.
The second half was all one-way traffic as the home side piled on the pressure. Manning saw a shot hit the side netting and Breen made a late save from substitute Kyle Larin.
With no further breakthrough, the tie went to extra time, where Breen again made a fine save from Samuel Eduzie.
Both sets of players looked exhausted as the specter of penalties loomed large.
But Charles, who was on the right side, sent in a dangerous ball that Breen and Dale Fry left for each other and the ball flew into the goal.
It has been almost 10 years since Boro played in the Premier League, and they will be hurting for it “Spygate 2.0” scandal.
Middlesbrough officials allegedly caught a Southampton staff secretly filming their training session just 48 hours before their semi-final first leg.
Boro staff reportedly spotted the person, identified as a Saints analyst, watching from a public area overlooking their Rockliffe Park base.
