Middlesbrough v Southampton LIVE: Text commentary of Championship play-off semi-final first leg

'Players run the game, not the coaches' - Eckert

Middlesbrough v Southampton (12:30 BST)

Southampton

Southampton boss Tonda Eckert was asked about the alleged spying on Middlesbrough training in his pre-match interview with Sky Sports.

He said: "The club has made a statement and that's all I can say at the moment.

"If you come to this stage of the season, it's not the coaches running the game, it's the players.

"And it's going to be exactly the same today."

Southampton charged over spying controversy

Middlesbrough v Southampton (12:30 BST)

A ball has not yet been kicked in this Championship play-off semi-final tie but we've already had major controversy.

Southampton have been charged by the English Football League (EFL) for spying on a Middlesbrough training session on Thursday morning.

BBC Sport understands a Saints performance analyst was allegedly caught recording Boro training and taking pictures of tactics.

The staff member was told to delete the footage and leave the area, but the Teesside club were furious and later contacted the EFL.

Southampton were charged by the EFL on Friday.

Read the full story here.

Listen live

Middlesbrough v Southampton (12:30 BST)

BBC Local Radio

Broadcast rights mean we cannot bring you audio commentary of tonight's game between Middlesbrough and Southampton online.

But if you live in the areas covered by the stations, you can access BBC Radio Tees and BBC Radio Solent commentary via the normal means.

We will also bring you a flavour of the radio analysis to go alongside our live text coverage here, so you won't miss out.

How it ended in the Championship

Middlesbrough v Southampton (12:30 BST)

There really was not a lot to separate these two sides after 46 games in the Championship regular season.

Both were tied on 80 points but Southampton finished above Middlesbrough by one goal on goal difference.

The Saints netted 10 more goals (82) than Boro (72), but it was Middlesbrough who were stronger defensively with 47 goals conceded to Southampton's 56.

The return legs and final are as follows:

Monday, 11 May: Millwall v Hull City (20:00 BST, 0-0 on agg)

Tuesday, 12 May: Southampton v Middlesbrough (20:00 BST)

Saturday, 23 May: Championship play-off final at Wembley Stadium (kick-off time TBC)

No separating Tigers and Lions in other semi-final

FT: Hull City 0-0 Millwall

The 40th anniversary of the EFL play-offs got under way on Friday night with Hull City and Millwall battling to a goalless draw at the MKM Stadium.

Both sides came close in a physical Championship semi-final first leg and the Lions had a goal disallowed, but neither could gain an advantage.

It will now come down to a one-game shootout at The Den to see who can secure a place at Wembley.

The Tigers have not been in the Premier League since 2017, while the Lions are trying to end a 36-year wait to play in the top flight.

Read the full match report from that one here.

Meeting in the middle

Middlesbrough v Southampton (12:30 BST)

Hello everyone and welcome along to our live coverage of the first leg of what promises to be a fascinating Championship play-off semi-final between Middlesbrough and Southampton.

It pits two sides with Premier League pedigree against one another, even if Boro's absence from the top flight has been far longer than they would have liked.

Saints are looking to bounce straight back into the big time following relegation last season.

The campaign has panned out in opposite ways for these clubs even if the destination is ultimately the same, with Middlesbrough letting automatic promotion slip and Southampton recovering from a disappointing first half of the season to make the top six.

Now they meet in the middle to see who can go one step further and reach Wembley.

Thousands of Boro fans have gathered early to welcome the team bus this morning, The atmosphere is building.

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