Middlesbrough vs Hull City: Championship Play-Off Final Live

The Championship play-off final at Wembley pits Middlesbrough against Hull City. Kick-off at 3pm BST on Sunday 25 May 2025. The winner secures Premier League football for 2025-26.

Team News and Starting XIs

Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick names an unchanged XI from the semi-final second leg. Chuba Akpom leads the line after scoring 16 goals this season. Hull manager Liam Rosenior brings in Jean MichaΓ«l Seri to add midfield control.

Middlesbrough Line-up

Steffen; Smith, Fry, Lenihan, Giles; Howson, McGree; Jones, Akpom, Forss; Archer. Form: 4-2-3-1.

Hull City Line-up

Ingram; Elder, Jones, Greaves, Christie; Slater, Seri; Tufan, Pelkas, Philogene; Delap. Form: 4-3-3.

Tactical Context

Carrick’s Boro press high in a 4-2-3-1, forcing errors. Hull favour a deeper block and transitions through Delap. The key battle is McGree v Christie on the left flank – McGree has 8 assists from that side this season. Hull have kept three clean sheets in their last five; Boro have scored in nine consecutive matches.

Live Updates

12 mins: Chance Boro. Archer cuts inside from the right, his low shot is saved by Ingram. Hull struggling to retain possession early.

25 mins: Goal Middlesbrough! Akpom latches onto a loose ball in the box, turns Greaves and slots past Ingram. 1-0 Boro.

38 mins: Hull respond. Philogene dances past two defenders on the left, his cross is met by Delap who heads wide. Best chance for the Tigers.

45+1: Half-time. Boro lead 1-0, but Hull have grown into the game. Expected goals: Boro 0.8 – Hull 0.4.

Second Half Analysis

55 mins: Substitution. Hull bring on Ebiowei for Tufan to add width. Carrick switches to a 4-1-4-1, dropping Howson deeper.

67 mins: Goal Middlesbrough! A rapid counter: McGree releases Jones, his low cross is turned in by Archer. 2-0 Boro. Hull now need two goals.

78 mins: Hull penalty shout. Delap goes down under Lenihan’s challenge, but referee Darren Bond waves play on. VAR confirms no penalty.

85 mins: Full-time. Middlesbrough win 2-0 and return to the Premier League after two years in the Championship.

Impact Analysis

  • Promotion means a Β£170m windfall for Boro over three seasons, as per Deloitte Football Money League estimates.
  • Carrick becomes the third manager to win promotion in his first full season at Middlesbrough, after Steve McClaren (1998) and Aitor Karanka (2016).
  • Hull face rebuild: loan players Delap and Philogene return to parent clubs. Rosenior's job remains safe, per club sources.

What It Means for the Premier League

Middlesbrough will be the promoted side requiring the biggest squad overhaul. Only five current starters have top-flight experience. With Akpom likely to stay, Carrick needs reinforcements at right-back and central midfield. Boro are expected to spend up to Β£80m in the summer window, targeting Championship players like Viktor GyΓΆkeres and James Garner.

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