MIDDLESBROUGH FINALLY RETURNS TO PREMIERSHIP

Middlesbrough celebrate return to Premier League after seven-year absence with draw

Christian Stuani finished from close range to give Boro lead on 20 minutes

Connor Goldson cleared off the line to prevent Stuani scoring a second

Dale Stephens headed the visitors level from Anthony Knockaert's cross 

Midfielder sent off minutes later for a horror challenge on Gaston Ramirez

Boro finished second in Championship and join Burnley in Premier League

The clock said the 90 minutes were up. The clock said the eight — eight! — minutes of added time were up. But referee Mike Dean decreed the game was not up. There was still time for one last attack and as the Riverside readied itself for a pitch invasion and a party, Brighton & Hove Albion had the ball.

It was with Spanish full-back Bruno and he launched one last cross towards the Boro penalty spot. There were yellow-shirted Brighton players there and red Boro defenders as the ball sailed in. Amid it all a man in blue climbed highest.

This was Dimi Konstantopoulos, Boro’s keeper. Rarely can a goalkeeper’s catch have provoked such a roar. All 33,800 at the Riverside knew then that the match Boro dared not lose had been drawn.