Hull City earned promotion to the Premier League, defeating Middlesbrough, 1-0, in the Sky Bet Championship playoff final at Wembley Stadium. Oli McBurnie scored in added time at 90'+5, to return Hull to the Premiership for the first time in 10 years (video cued to winning goal):
Middlesbrough was a late addition to the final, having lost to Southampton in the semifinals. But the English Football League ejected Southampton from the playoffs after an investigation confirmed they were spying on Middlesbrough inside a 72-hour window ahead of their match. Southampton was also issued a four-point penalty, meaning they will start the EFL Championship season at minus-4 points.\
My take: The economics of Premier League football makes it difficul for promoted teams to stick. Hull have some capital to have a decent chance of sneaking above the relegation zone next season. Fellow promoted team Coventry, not so much. Ipswich Town is an interesting case, having been promoted two seasons ago, then relegated than earning promotion again. Did they learn enough in 2024-25 to stay up next season?
THE ASYLUM
Hull promoted to Premiership
Hull City earned promotion to the Premier League, defeating Middlesbrough, 1-0, in the Sky Bet Championship playoff final at Wembley Stadium. Oli McBurnie scored in added time at 90'+5, to return Hull to the Premiership for the first time in 10 years (video cued to winning goal):
Middlesbrough was a late addition to the final, having lost to Southampton in the semifinals. But the English Football League ejected Southampton from the playoffs after an investigation confirmed they were spying on Middlesbrough inside a 72-hour window ahead of their match. Southampton was also issued a four-point penalty, meaning they will start the EFL Championship season at minus-4 points.\
My take: The economics of Premier League football makes it difficul for promoted teams to stick. Hull have some capital to have a decent chance of sneaking above the relegation zone next season. Fellow promoted team Coventry, not so much. Ipswich Town is an interesting case, having been promoted two seasons ago, then relegated than earning promotion again. Did they learn enough in 2024-25 to stay up next season?
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