Middlesbrough promoted to Premier League: Cristhian Stuani goal secures Brighton draw to send Boro up

Middlesbrough 1 Brighton and Hove Albion 1

Middlesbrough celebrate their promotion to the Premier League (Getty)

Middlesbrough’s seven-year absence from the Premier League ended yesterday after a £175 million gamble by manager Aitor Karanka paid off with the goal that destroyed Brighton’s chance of securing the second promotion slot in the Championship.

Karanka sparked criticism from fans before the match by his startling decision to leave out Jordan Rhodes, scorer of four goals in the last five games, and Stewart Downing for a match destined to open the door to Premier League riches for one of these teams.

It was undoubtedly a brave decision and not the first time Karanka has eschewed logical choices this season. The Spaniard was aware it would leave him vulnerable to intense criticism if Middlesbrough lost; instead, it resembled a masterstroke as David Nugent and Cristhian Stuani, the two players drafted in, combined for Middlesbrough’s crucial goal.

Brighton did equalise through Dale Stephens, but they needed a win to overtake Middlesbrough and Stephens’s dismissal two minutes after his goal for a foul on Gaston Ramirez contributed to their failure to achieve it.

Middlesbrough even survived eight tense minutes of time added on because of the treatment Ramirez required before he was taken off on a stretcher - time that featured an angry scuffle involving the coaching staff of both teams.

Ramirez had earlier played his part in Middlesbrough’s 14th-minute goal as he took an in-swinging free-kick after being fouled. Nugent located space beyond the far post, cushioned the ball back across goal and Stuani beat goalkeeper David Stockdale from close range.

It was a simple goal, yet so satisfying for Karanka, who dismissed speculation about his future to insist he will be in charge at the start of next season. “I have three more years here,” he said. “The contract is there. I say thank you to the chairman, the players and the crowd.

”There are just 20 privileged people who can manage in the Premier League and I will be one of them next season. My aim is to stay in there. I said when I arrived that Middlesbrough are a Premier League team and we are going to train hard to stay there.

“First, though, I would like to go to my bed and cry for 24 hours because of all the emotion that I can’t describe.”

Christhian Stuani celebrates after scoring for Middlesbrough (Getty)

Stuani’s goal meant Brighton had to score twice to go up, something that no team has achieved in league games at the Riverside this season, but Middlesbrough carried the greater threat and could have stretched their lead before the interval as Connor Goldson cleared off the line from Albert Adomah before making two mistakes which almost led to further goals.

Middlesbrough appeared to be heading for their 23rd clean sheet of the season until the 55th minute when Stephens headed in Anthony Knockaert’s free-kick from an acute angle, but Stephens’s next contribution led to his exit.

His tackle on Ramirez was high, but did not provoke an instant response from referee Mike Dean. However, if the Premier League official had any doubts about the validity of a red card, a glance at the gash in Ramirez’s leg removed them.

“My gut feeling at the time - with a good view - was that it was nowhere near a red card,” said Chris Hughton, the Brighton manager. “I’m very conscious that somebody may show me another angle, but what I’ve seen has confirmed my thoughts at the time.”

Middlesbrough fans celebrate after securing promotion to the Premier League (Getty)

Brighton’s ten men provided Middlesbrough with some anxious moments in the closing stages, but they held on and their superior goal difference of just two goals proved sufficient to take them back to the Premier League - two goals that are priceless for Middlesbrough and leave Brighton facing a play-off semi-final against Sheffield Wednesday.

Hughton said: “I am very proud of a group of players who have run Middlesbrough so close. It was a wonderful performance in the circumstances. We don’t have much time before the play-offs, so we will be in on Monday to prepare for a very tough game.”

Teams

Middlesbrough (4-2-3-1): Konstantopoulos; Nsue, Ayala, Gibson, Friend; Clayton, Leadbitter; Stuani, Ramirez (Downing 64), Adomah; Nugent (Rhodes 80) Substitutes: Agazzi, De Laet, Kalas, De Sart, Forshaw

Brighton (4-4-2): Stockdale; Bruno, Goldson, Greer (lua\Lua 82, Rosenior; Knockaert, Stephens, Kayal, Murphy (Sidwell 64); Baldock (Wilson 46), Hemed. Substitutes: Maenpaa, Bong, Calderon, Skalak.

Referee: Mike Dean.