Heaven for Hull. A team tipped for relegation at the start of the season, who only stayed up on goal differences last year, who were unable to buy players because of a transfer embargo, have indeed swapped divisions. But instead of dropping into League One, they are back in the Premier League. A play-off campaign that will forever be remembered for Spygate had one last surprise, Oli McBurnie infiltrating the Middlesbrough penalty area to prod in the most lucrative goal in Hull’s history.
A free transfer got the £200m strike, the richest game in world football decided by a product of the freeze on Hull’s spending. Enforced austerity has never been so profitable. But Middlesbrough, left devastated by losing a semi-final to a club who admitted cheating, were hurt again. “Two heartbreaking losses in one week,” said manager Kim Hellberg.
