Southampton came from behind to beat Middlesbrough and reach the Championship play-off final.
Boro started off surprisingly well. Many thought they wasted their opportunity by not converting their chances at the Riverside because they wouldn’t get the chance to dominate like that at St Mary’s. But they did.
Kim Hellberg’s men didn’t generate the same quality of shots from the first leg, but had the hosts holding on for dear life early on. Riley McGree only scored in the fifth minute, but before that they were pressing high, recovering possession quickly and surrounding the box. There was even what looked like a clear penalty from Kuryu Matsuki on David Strelec when it was still 0-0.
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It was ultimate ‘Hellball’ in display. Two blocks of players in close proximity out wide with another one inside the box. It started on the left but as Tommy Conway switched play, they used the same strategy on the right.
While three players crashed the box looking to get behind the centre-backs, Riley McGree dropped deep and received a conscious pass from Callum Brittain to slot it home.
Hellberg then adjusted after going 1-0 up. They saw less of the ball, but maintained the aggression out of possession. Middlesbrough attempted 11 shots from the start of the game until half-time of extra-time and eight of them came within the first 30 minutes.
After that, however, Southampton settled in and took control. They turned struggle into dominance and forced Boro back into their own third. The visitors looked phisically overmatch towards the end of the second half and ended the game with three midfielders leading the line due to a lack of forwards available.
But it took the Saints a not-so-secret weapon to advance to the Championship play-off final.
How Southampton used their specialty to beat Middlesbrough
Crossing the ball has been arguably Southampton’s most reliable way of generating goalscoring opportunities. They rank first in the Championship in cross-assisted goals this season with a comfortable margin.
They scored two in the first 13 matchweeks, during Will Still’s short tenure. And 19 across the remaining 35 games, including play-offs — all under Tonda Eckert.
Against Middlesbrough, the Saints attempted a total of 40 — their second most in a league game this campaign (44 vs Stoke City in August). Granted, it lasted 120 minutes — but the knockout nature of the match also changes how teams play.
Open-play crosses
Even when Southampton were struggling early on, they still managed to create a great chance. In fact, it was the best one in the whole game: a right-footed Ross Stewart attempt worth 0.59 Expected Goals.
It came, of course, after a cross. But it was also the first time they managed to manipulate Middlesbrough’s full-pitch man-marking. Leo Scienza dragged Luke Ayling all the way to the central corridor and opened up the left wing.
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Ryan Manning, the squad specialist, whipped a beautiful ball into the far post but the Scot failed to capitalise.
Shea Charles’ winner won’t count as a cross-assisted goal because the cross was actually the goal. But it still highlights their strength in this department and how much it helps them threaten opponents.
Set-pieces
Southampton terrorised Middlesbrough with set pieces all game long. Of the Saints’ 1.99 xG, 1.17 came from set-pieces (59%) and 0.82 from open play (41%).
And it was precisely in this manner that Scienza, again, manipulated Boro’s man-marking. The Brazilian literally ran a circle around Brittain during a throw-in to get ahead of him and win the foul.
This time it was James Bree who crossed it into the box for Manning to shoot. Sol Brynn saved the first attempt but Stewart came rushing from behind above everyone else to equalise.
Southampton abusing set-pieces to hurt Middlesbrough summarises how both teams have played on each end in these situations.
The Saints rank second in set-piece goals in the Championship this season (30, four fewer than Coventry). Meanwhile, only Watford and Sheffield Wednesday (25 each) have conceded more set-piece goals than Boro (24).
Their backline finished with 50% of aerial duels won across Adilson Malanda, Dael Fry and Luke Ayling combined (7/14). It’s far from dominant. For perspective, Southampton’s centre-backs combined to win 64% (7/11).
And even the aerial duels the Boro defenders did win, they rarely managed to clear the ball out of danger. It was always keeping it alive inside their own box or heading it backwards for yet another set piece.
Overall, Middlesbrough’s ceiling across the two games was far higher than Southampton’s. But it was also short-lived.
The Saints, however, managed to get back into the game and take control both home and away. And this time it was them who had the best chances to score. Of course, Boro lacked legs and were ultimately hanging on from the latter stages of the first half until stoppage time of extra time.
Southampton look better equipped to contend for a place in the Premier League than Middlesbrough at the moment. But that’s not to say that with a few additions and adjustments Boro can’t book their place back in the top flight next season.