Hull City secured promotion to the English Premier League by defeating Middlesbrough 1-0 in the Championship playoff final at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday.

The winning goal came in the 95th minute when Oli McBurnie stabbed home a loose ball after a fumble by Middlesbrough goalkeeper Sol Brynn. The goal also averted any controversy over Boro's participation in the final following the spy-gate scandal.

Hull's original opponents for the final, Southampton, were disqualified after being found guilty of spying on Middlesbrough's training ahead of their semifinal clash. Hull's management had indicated they would take further action if they had not progressed, believing the game should have been awarded to them automatically.

The final, played in searing heat, was drifting towards extra time when McBurnie pounced to score. Hull will return to the top flight for the first time since relegation in 2017, reaping the rewards of what is known as the most lucrative game in world football.

As the world's richest league, the promoted club from the Championship receives an estimated £200 million ($268 million) in extra income. Southampton, meanwhile, was docked four points next season after admitting to multiple breaches of regulations related to unauthorized filming of other clubs' training sessions, according to an EFL statement.

Source: www.aljazeera.com