Super Eagles defender Semi Ajayi has secured a return to the Premier League after helping Hull City to a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough in the EFL Championship play-off final, Footynaija.com reports.
Ajayi, who has been a mainstay for Hull City whenever he’s been fit, featured in a back three for 90 minutes and put in a solid shift as the Tigers restricted their enterprising opponents to zero shots on target throughout the game.
The opening exchanges of the contest offered very little in terms of goal-mouth action as both sides struggled to find rhythm under the scorching conditions. In fact, a wayward header from David Strelec remained the game’s only notable opportunity until the closing stages of the first half.
Related Post
However, the encounter suddenly sprang into life moments before the break. Mohamed Belloumi curled an effort narrowly off target for Hull City before Oli McBurnie rattled the crossbar with a powerful diving header. At the other end, Strelec nearly punished Hull after driving purposefully into the area, only to drag his effort wide.
Kim Hellberg’s side returned from the interval looking the more dangerous team and should have broken the deadlock just three minutes into the second half when Dael Fry squandered a glorious headed opportunity from close range.
There was also a timely boost for Middlesbrough as Hayden Hackney made his long-awaited return from injury, coming off the bench for his first appearance since March after recovering from a groin problem.
Hackney almost made an immediate impact after slipping a clever pass through to Sontje Hansen, but Ivor Pandur produced an excellent save before the offside flag eventually went up. With the fourth official indicating a minimum of eight minutes of added time, Hull finally found their decisive moment deep into stoppage time.
Hirakawa surged down the left flank and delivered a dangerous cross into the box. Brynn could only parry the delivery into a dangerous area and McBurnie reacted quickest to stab home the winner and seal Hull’s return to the Premier League after a nine-year absence.
