Middlesbrough return to Premier League after 7 years

Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka, right, lifts the cup with Grant Leadbetter as they celebrate returning to the English Premier League after the Championship match against Brighton and Hove Albion at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, England, Saturday May 7, 2016.

Brighton’s predicament is slightly more perilous than that of Middlesbrough’s, with the visitors in need of a win to confirm their automatic promotion, while anything other would condemn them to the play-offs.

Boro join Burnley as the Championships teams promoted so far.

When Middlesbrough endured a miserable run in March this year, it briefly seemed Karanka would quit after the Spaniard stormed away from showdown talks with his under-performing squad.

Middlesbrough closed the season with four successive draws but Friend has insisted that he was confident that the club would make sure of their return to the top flight after a seven-year absence.

The 30-year-old said: “It took me a long time to get over losing at Wembley, but now it feels as if we can finally breathe, enjoy the moment and leave the sleepless nights behind”. Aitor’s done a fantastic job, they’ve recruited really well and that’s key – we’ve seen that with [Premier League champion] Leicester.

Describing his chief emotion as “pride” in his side’s performance, Hughton immediately turned his sights on the hard task of raising spirits for the upcoming play-off semi-final against Sheffield Wednesday.

Despite their disappointing first half, Brighton had no intention of surrendering without a fight and they hauled themselves level 10 minutes after the interval.

Yet Stephens went from hero to villain within three minutes, attracting a straight red card for a late studs-up challenge which resulted in Gaston Ramirez being taken off on a stretcher with what looked like a serious leg injury.

Middlesbrough’s Spanish manager Karanka was left feeling emotional as the Riverside pitch was engulfed by fans afterwards.