Semi Ajayi back in Premier League after lengthy absence

Semi Ajayi played all 90 minutes in Hull City’s 1-0 win over Middlesbrough in the English Championship playoff final on Saturday at Wembley stadium.

The 30-year-old central defender put in a stellar performance to give his team the clean sheet foundation needed for the win sealed by Oli McBurnie’s goal in added time.

The victory sees Hull City return to the English Premier League since the 2016/17 season when they spent just one season, ending a nine-year absence.

The East Yorkshire club completes the trio of clubs promoted to the EPL, joining both Championship winners Coventry City, and runners-up Ipswich Town who had earlier sealed promotion in the regular season.

McBurnie capitalized on Middlesbrough goalkeeper Sol Brynn’s mistake for the winner. Brynn fumbled a cross into the path of the Scottish striker who applied an emphatic finish to send the Tigers back to the EPL.

It is, however, continuous heartbreak for Middlesbrough who failed to win at Wembley stadium for the sixth consecutive times.

Ajayi, who made the joint-second highest interceptions in the match, returns to the EPL since he suffered relegation with West Bromwich Albion in 2021, ending five years of absence.

المصدر: Daily Trust (NG)