📺 FROM THE DESK
Live commentary on Middlesbrough v Southampton in the Championship play-off semi-final first leg. Kick-off 12:30 BST at the Riverside. This one’s from home — full TV coverage, stable connection, no MKM signal handicap. Means quicker entries, fuller analysis, and probably a tighter score-update cadence than last night.
The pre-match read on form vs structure (model lean Boro 54.7%) is here ↓
Form versus structure: the full preview
ARCHIVE Match commentary archive · 69 updates
90+9'commentAnother disappointing first leg . Boro with nothing to show for their efforts. We might be back for the Stevenage game
90+4'fulltimeFull-time, 0-0
90+3'commentFree kick — Southampton, final chance
88'commentShot — Southampton, almost a brilliant counter attack, brilliant feet from Shea Charles and he perfectly finds Ross Stewart who perfectly gives it to Samuel Edozie who fires agonisingly wide, 3 substitutes linking up for the saints, almost a dramatic winner
88'commentSamuel Edozie living up to his name , made a mess of that
86'sub🔄 Samuel Edozie on for Leo Scienza
85'commentOFF THE BAR, Brilliant delivery from the free kick by Ryan Manning and Taylor Harwood-Bellis thunders his header off the crossbar, closest Southampton have come
84'commentFree kick — Southampton, given away by Jeremy Sarmiento on Ryan Manning
80'commentCorner — Middlesbrough, won by Jeremy Sarmiento
79'sub🔄 Whittaker is off to be replaced by Jeremy Sarmiento, and David Strelec makes way for Leo Castledine
74'commentCorner cleared, second phase cleared by a vital header from Matt Targett
73'commentCorner — Southampton
72'commentAidan Morris there again to stop Leo Scienza advancing through on goal
71'commentShot — Southampton, Volley outside the box from Shea Charles over
70'commentBoth first legs have been somewhat disappointing in my opinion . One game with the higher finishing team at home would perhaps be more of a spectacle.
69'subAlan Browne on for Riley McGree
69'sub🔄 Shea Charles on for carded Flynn Downes, Kuryu Matsuki on for Tom Fellows
63'commentShot — Southampton, Scienza from outside the box over the bar
60'sub🔄 Ross Stewart on for Cyle Larin, a day to forget for Larin
60'card🟨 Card for Flynn Downes, looks like one for the team to stop Whittaker advancing any further
57'commentGood ball by Callum Brittain, David Strelec couldn't make the contact
56'card🟨 First card of the game, for Cyle Larin after fouling Aidan Morris, sums up his game so far
53'commentCorner taken short and whipped in by Matt Targett, comes off Riley McGree and wide
52'commentCorner — Middlesbrough, Great ball from Conway to find Matt Targett, his cross is blocked by Taylor Harwood-Bellis
51'commentShot — Southampton, First shot in the game for the Saints, good ball by Tom Fellows, Cyle Larin should have gone across goal with the header, ends up going wide of the near post
48'commentGood ball in by Ryan Manning, nobody there for Southampton
HTkickoffKick-off for the second half
HTcommentEnjoying a veggie quiche today for my half time snack. Lovely
HTcomment0 xG recorded for Southampton compared to 1.39 for Boro
HTcommentDominant half from Middlesbrough, still somehow 0-0 in this game with Middlesbrough recording 15 shots ,which include a goal line block from James Bree and Conway hitting the post, to Southampton's 0 and having 7 corners to Southampton's 0. Daniel Peretz probably Southampton's best player making 4 saves. Riley McGree, Luke Ayling, Whittaker have been outstanding, every Boro player has been good, just don't have a goal to show for it
45+2'halftimeHalf-time, 0-0
45+1'commentCorner — Middlesbrough, Ayling heads off target
45+1'comment2 minutes of added time and into the 2nd minute now
45'commentShot — Middlesbrough, Whittaker just over after poor distribution from Daniel Peretz
43'commentOffside — Middlesbrough
40'commentShot — Middlesbrough, 2 shots in quick succession, one saved from a shot by Matt Targett and the other blocked
39'commentCorner — Middlesbrough, Scramble, almost touched in by the home side only for Daniel Peretz to make a vital save
34'commentOFF THE POST, Cyle Larin loses the ball in an awful position, Boro have a 3 on 2, Riley McGree finds Conway in acres of space and crashes it against the post
32'commentShot — Middlesbrough, Huge chance, brilliant from Whittaker on the right hits it across the box to Conway, goal gaping, but James Bree blocks his goalbound shot
29'commentShot — Middlesbrough, almost outstanding from Luke Ayling after running from the halfway line into the box and flashes his shot wide
27'commentShot — Middlesbrough, good play around the box, Aidan Morris with a shot outside the box over the bar
25'commentFree kick evades everyone and out for a Goal Kick
24'commentFree kick — Middlesbrough, in a dangerous area, Tom Fellows has looked shaky and gave away this free kick after fouling Conway
23'commentCleared away
23'commentCorner — Middlesbrough, won by Luke Ayling
21'commentCorner was cleared, and the second phase ended up into the gloves of Daniel Peretz
20'commentCorner — Middlesbrough Punched away by Daniel Peretz out for another corner
20'commentCorner — Middlesbrough, Conway with another shot blocked by James Bree and out for a corner
18'commentCallum Brittain puts a cross in, deflects off a Southampton defender right across the face of goal, Middlesbrough dominating
15'commentShot — Middlesbrough, good pass from Aidan Morris into Whittaker who fires just over from outside the box
13'commentCorner comes to nothing
13'commentCorner — Middlesbrough after really good play from Whittaker and Callum Brittain down the right, given away cheaply by Tom Fellows
12'commentRiley McGree again with a really good forward run, teasingly taps it across goal but is cleared away
11'commentRiley McGree Good chance in the area
9'commentThrow-in — Southampton
8'commentCallum Brittain goes on a long mazy run
6'commentCorner — Middlesbrough: Good ball in, David Strelec heads over, perhaps should have done better, good movement to get away from his man
5'commentRiley McGree With a couple of shots, both blocked by the resolute saints defence
12:34commentTentative start from both teams
4'commentDecent start for Boro however no real chances so far, they have had the possession although they do average the highest possession in the Championship
12:30kickoffKick-off in this playoff semi final
12:29comment'Boro in a huddle
45+18699'commentPlayers walk out to an electric Riverside atmosphere
12:25commentNearly there watching this like a Soton Spy
12:03commentSOUTHAMPTON LINEUP - After rotations against Preston on the final day, Finn Azaz comes back in for Cameron Archer, Flynn Downes comes back from suspension and replaces Cameron Bragg, Cyle Larin comes in for Ross Stewart, James Bree comes in for Shea Charles and Ryan Manning comes in for Welington. No new injury concerns for the Saints
11:58commentSouthampton starting lineup - Bench: Ross Stewart, Joshua Quarshie, Cameron Archer, Samuel Edozie, Shea Charles, George Long, Kuryu Matsuki, Welington, Cameron Bragg
11:55commentMIDDLESBROUGH LINEUP - Still no Hayden Hackney through injury, the only change from the final day game against Wrexham is Riley McGree coming in to replace Alan Browne who drops to the bench
11:54commentMiddlesbrough starting lineup - Bench: Alexander Gilbert, Alan Browne, Samuel Silvera, Leo Castledine, Sontje Hansen, Joe Wildsmith, Harley Hunt, Cruz Ibeh, Jeremy Sarmiento
45+864'commentTest
Match commentary timeline
Auto-generated from live commentary. 69 entries between kickoff and full-time.
4′ comment Decent start for Boro however no real chances so far, they have had the possession although they do average the highest possession in the Championship
5′ comment Riley McGree With a couple of shots, both blocked by the resolute saints defence
6′ comment Corner — Middlesbrough: Good ball in, David Strelec heads over, perhaps should have done better, good movement to get away from his man
8′ comment Callum Brittain goes on a long mazy run
9′ comment Throw-in — Southampton
11′ comment Riley McGree Good chance in the area
12′ comment Riley McGree again with a really good forward run, teasingly taps it across goal but is cleared away
13′ comment Corner — Middlesbrough after really good play from Whittaker and Callum Brittain down the right, given away cheaply by Tom Fellows
13′ comment Corner comes to nothing
15′ comment Shot — Middlesbrough, good pass from Aidan Morris into Whittaker who fires just over from outside the box
18′ comment Callum Brittain puts a cross in, deflects off a Southampton defender right across the face of goal, Middlesbrough dominating
20′ comment Corner — Middlesbrough, Conway with another shot blocked by James Bree and out for a corner
20′ comment Corner — Middlesbrough Punched away by Daniel Peretz out for another corner
21′ comment Corner was cleared, and the second phase ended up into the gloves of Daniel Peretz
23′ comment Corner — Middlesbrough, won by Luke Ayling
23′ comment Cleared away
24′ comment Free kick — Middlesbrough, in a dangerous area, Tom Fellows has looked shaky and gave away this free kick after fouling Conway
25′ comment Free kick evades everyone and out for a Goal Kick
27′ comment Shot — Middlesbrough, good play around the box, Aidan Morris with a shot outside the box over the bar
29′ comment Shot — Middlesbrough, almost outstanding from Luke Ayling after running from the halfway line into the box and flashes his shot wide
32′ comment Shot — Middlesbrough, Huge chance, brilliant from Whittaker on the right hits it across the box to Conway, goal gaping, but James Bree blocks his goalbound shot
34′ comment OFF THE POST, Cyle Larin loses the ball in an awful position, Boro have a 3 on 2, Riley McGree finds Conway in acres of space and crashes it against the post
39′ comment Corner — Middlesbrough, Scramble, almost touched in by the home side only for Daniel Peretz to make a vital save
40′ comment Shot — Middlesbrough, 2 shots in quick succession, one saved from a shot by Matt Targett and the other blocked
43′ comment Offside — Middlesbrough
45′ comment Shot — Middlesbrough, Whittaker just over after poor distribution from Daniel Peretz
HT comment Dominant half from Middlesbrough, still somehow 0-0 in this game with Middlesbrough recording 15 shots ,which include a goal line block from James Bree and Conway hitting the post, to Southampton’s 0 and having 7 corners to Southampton’s 0. Daniel Peretz probably Southampton’s best player making 4 saves. Riley McGree, Luke Ayling, Whittaker have been outstanding, every Boro player has been good, just don’t have a goal to show for it
HT comment 0 xG recorded for Southampton compared to 1.39 for Boro
HT comment Enjoying a veggie quiche today for my half time snack. Lovely
HT kickoff Kick-off for the second half
45+1′ comment 2 minutes of added time and into the 2nd minute now
45+1′ comment Corner — Middlesbrough, Ayling heads off target
45+2′ halftime Half-time, 0-0
45+864′ comment Test
45+18699′ comment Players walk out to an electric Riverside atmosphere
48′ comment Good ball in by Ryan Manning, nobody there for Southampton
51′ comment Shot — Southampton, First shot in the game for the Saints, good ball by Tom Fellows, Cyle Larin should have gone across goal with the header, ends up going wide of the near post
52′ comment Corner — Middlesbrough, Great ball from Conway to find Matt Targett, his cross is blocked by Taylor Harwood-Bellis
53′ comment Corner taken short and whipped in by Matt Targett, comes off Riley McGree and wide
56′ card 🟨 First card of the game, for Cyle Larin after fouling Aidan Morris, sums up his game so far
57′ comment Good ball by Callum Brittain, David Strelec couldn’t make the contact
60′ card 🟨 Card for Flynn Downes, looks like one for the team to stop Whittaker advancing any further
60′ sub 🔄 Ross Stewart on for Cyle Larin, a day to forget for Larin
63′ comment Shot — Southampton, Scienza from outside the box over the bar
69′ sub 🔄 Shea Charles on for carded Flynn Downes, Kuryu Matsuki on for Tom Fellows
69′ sub Alan Browne on for Riley McGree
70′ comment Both first legs have been somewhat disappointing in my opinion . One game with the higher finishing team at home would perhaps be more of a spectacle.
71′ comment Shot — Southampton, Volley outside the box from Shea Charles over
72′ comment Aidan Morris there again to stop Leo Scienza advancing through on goal
73′ comment Corner — Southampton
74′ comment Corner cleared, second phase cleared by a vital header from Matt Targett
79′ sub 🔄 Whittaker is off to be replaced by Jeremy Sarmiento, and David Strelec makes way for Leo Castledine
80′ comment Corner — Middlesbrough, won by Jeremy Sarmiento
84′ comment Free kick — Southampton, given away by Jeremy Sarmiento on Ryan Manning
85′ comment OFF THE BAR, Brilliant delivery from the free kick by Ryan Manning and Taylor Harwood-Bellis thunders his header off the crossbar, closest Southampton have come
86′ sub 🔄 Samuel Edozie on for Leo Scienza
88′ comment Samuel Edozie living up to his name , made a mess of that
88′ comment Shot — Southampton, almost a brilliant counter attack, brilliant feet from Shea Charles and he perfectly finds Ross Stewart who perfectly gives it to Samuel Edozie who fires agonisingly wide, 3 substitutes linking up for the saints, almost a dramatic winner
90+3′ comment Free kick — Southampton, final chance
90+4′ fulltime Full-time, 0-0
90+9′ comment Another disappointing first leg . Boro with nothing to show for their efforts. We might be back for the Stevenage game
comment Middlesbrough starting lineup – Bench: Alexander Gilbert, Alan Browne, Samuel Silvera, Leo Castledine, Sontje Hansen, Joe Wildsmith, Harley Hunt, Cruz Ibeh, Jeremy Sarmiento
comment MIDDLESBROUGH LINEUP – Still no Hayden Hackney through injury, the only change from the final day game against Wrexham is Riley McGree coming in to replace Alan Browne who drops to the bench
comment Southampton starting lineup – Bench: Ross Stewart, Joshua Quarshie, Cameron Archer, Samuel Edozie, Shea Charles, George Long, Kuryu Matsuki, Welington, Cameron Bragg
comment SOUTHAMPTON LINEUP – After rotations against Preston on the final day, Finn Azaz comes back in for Cameron Archer, Flynn Downes comes back from suspension and replaces Cameron Bragg, Cyle Larin comes in for Ross Stewart, James Bree comes in for Shea Charles and Ryan Manning comes in for Welington. No new injury concerns for the Saints
comment Nearly there watching this like a Soton Spy
comment ‘Boro in a huddle
kickoff Kick-off in this playoff semi final
comment Tentative start from both teams
