Middlesbrough is "back in the Premier League after a 1-1 draw with 10-man Brighton & Hove Albion" in its multi-million pound promotion decider, according to the ABC.
Middlesbrough "needed just one point and Brighton had to win in the final game of the season to secure automatic promotion to the top flight" in a game estimated to be worth $333M to the side that prevailed. The draw "left both sides on 89 points but Aitor Karanka's Boro will be back in the Premier League for the first time in seven years thanks to a superior goal difference of a mere two goals" (ABC, 5/9). In London, John Wardle Riverside wrote the club's seven-year absence from the Premier League ended after a £175M ($252M) gamble by Manager Aitor Karanka "paid off." 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" (INDEPENDENT, 5/7). In Middlesbrough, Philip Tallentire wrote Middlesbrough Chair Steve Gibson promised the club will "have a go" in the Premier League next season.
He also admitted escaping the Championship was a "slog" and far harder that he expected it to be.
Boro "dropped out of the Premier League in May 2009 and the chairman thought the club would bounce back far quicker than they eventually did." Looking back over seven second tier seasons, Gibson said, "It has been a slog. Getting out of this league was far, far harder than I expected it to be, but this league has got stronger and stronger and it’s got to be one of the best in Europe." The club is "set to earn" a minimum of £100M ($144M) next season plus guaranteed parachute payments in the event of relegation, but Gibson is not "getting carried away by the hype." Gibson: "All the figures talked about are relative. But it means we’ll have to pay more for players and pay more for salaries, because if we’re going to be competitive the money that comes in will have to be the money that goes out. But it’s a great problem to have" (GAZETTE LIVE, 5/9).
