Striker Oli McBurnie became the hero as Hull City secured promotion to the Premier League with a late goal in the play-off final against Middlesbrough.
“For the first time in my life, I think I’m speechless,” a visibly moved McBurnie told Sky Sports after the game.
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“It was written in the stars”
With only minutes left in what until then had been a goalless affair, the 29-year-old appeared on six meters and knocked the ball into the goal. The stage at Wembley exploded. The Hull players threw themselves on top of each other in jubilation. The visiting supporters, who had been waiting for over a year for this moment, could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
“It’s been a long and tough season, and I think today’s game summed up our team perfectly. We knew we weren’t going to have the most ball. I actually don’t think we’ve won a single game this year where we’ve had more possession than the opponent,” McBurnie said.
“It was tough with the heat, and Middlesbrough are a really good team. We knew what we were up against, but we felt that we would get one chance. And I just felt that it was written in the stars that I should put it. What a feeling!
“We suffered a lot”
Hull manager Sergej Jakirovic shared the player’s euphoria, but admitted that his team had been through a tough experience.
“It’s a fantastic feeling. I still can’t believe we managed it,” he said.
“We suffered a lot throughout the game. Middlesbrough are very good with the ball and had several big chances. We changed formation after 50 minutes and waited for our opportunity. And when it arrived, it was perfect.
The match that came to a dramatic end
Much of the attention before the game had been focused on Middlesbrough, who were given a second chance in the final after it was revealed that Southampton had spied on them in the semi-finals.
But when the referee blew the final whistle, it was Hull who were left as winners. McBurnie’s 94th-minute goal ensured that it was the Tigers – and not Boro – who secured their last ticket to the Premier League.
Hull City are now ready for the best company again, and supporters can start planning away trips to Old Trafford, Anfield and the Emirates Stadium.
All thanks to a striker who never gave up – and who felt that fate was on his side.
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