Match report

Southampton Defeats Middlesbrough 2-1 in Championship Clash

Southampton
Southampton
2–1
AET
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough
May 12, 2026

Southampton overcame an early deficit to secure a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough in a pivotal Championship match. R. Stewart and S. Charles found the back of the net for the Saints, while R. McGree gave Middlesbrough a fleeting lead in the opening minutes. Despite several yellow cards and substitutions, Southampton managed to maintain their composure and secure the win.

Key Facts

  • • R. McGree (Middlesbrough) opened the scoring in the 5th minute
  • • R. Stewart (Southampton) equalized in the 45th minute
  • • S. Charles (Southampton) sealed the victory with a goal in the 116th minute
  • • Southampton secured their second goal from an assist by T. Harwood-Bellis
  • • Several yellow cards were issued, including to R. McGree and C. Brittain (Middlesbrough)

Lineups

Southampton

Formation: 4-2-2-2

Starting XI

  • 41 D. Peretz (G)
  • 14 J. Bree (D)
  • 6 T. Harwood-Bellis (D)
  • 15 N. Wood (D)
  • 3 R. Manning (D)
  • 24 S. Charles (M)
  • 20 C. Jander (M)
  • 10 F. Azaz (M)
  • 27 K. Matsuki (M)
  • 11 R. Stewart (F)
  • 13 L. Scienza (F)

Substitutes

  • 25 G. Long
  • 9 C. Larin
  • 4 F. Downes
  • 34 Welington
  • 5 J. Stephens
  • 19 C. Archer
  • 18 T. Fellows
  • 23 S. Edozie
  • 48 C. Bragg

Middlesbrough

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 31 S. Brynn (G)
  • 12 L. Ayling (D)
  • 6 D. Fry (D)
  • 29 A. Malanda (D)
  • 2 C. Brittain (M)
  • 18 A. Morris (M)
  • 8 R. McGree (M)
  • 3 M. Targett (M)
  • 11 M. Whittaker (F)
  • 9 T. Conway (F)
  • 13 D. Strelec (F)

Substitutes

  • 32 J. Wildsmith
  • 16 A. Browne
  • 25 G. Edmundson
  • 45 J. Sarmiento
  • 15 F. Munroe
  • 27 S. Hansen
  • 14 A. Gilbert
  • 22 S. Silvera
  • 23 L. Castledine

Timeline

  1. Middlesbrough
    5' Middlesbrough Goal · Normal Goal
    R. McGree · Assist: C. Brittain
  2. Middlesbrough
    13' Middlesbrough Card · Yellow Card
    R. McGree

    Foul

  3. Southampton
    37' Southampton Card · Yellow Card
    Nathan Wood

    Argument

  4. Middlesbrough
    38' Middlesbrough Card · Yellow Card
    Luke Ayling

    Foul

  5. Southampton
    45' Southampton Goal · Normal Goal
    R. Stewart
  6. Southampton
    56' Southampton Card · Yellow Card
    F. Azaz

    Foul

  7. Southampton
    66' Southampton subst · Substitution 1
    Off: K. Matsuki · On: Flynn Downes
  8. Middlesbrough
    73' Middlesbrough subst · Substitution 1
    Off: T. Conway · On: A. Browne
  9. Middlesbrough
    78' Middlesbrough Card · Yellow Card
    A. Malanda

    Foul

  10. Middlesbrough
    83' Middlesbrough subst · Substitution 2
    Off: D. Strelec · On: L. Castledine
  11. Southampton
    84' Southampton subst · Substitution 2
    Off: R. Stewart · On: C. Larin
  12. Southampton
    85' Southampton subst · Substitution 3
    Off: L. Scienza · On: S. Edozie
  13. Middlesbrough
    92' Middlesbrough Card · Yellow Card
    C. Brittain

    Foul

  14. Middlesbrough
    105' Middlesbrough subst · Substitution 3
    Off: R. McGree · On: J. Sarmiento
  15. Southampton
    116' Southampton Goal · Normal Goal
    S. Charles · Assist: T. Harwood-Bellis
  16. Middlesbrough
    119' Middlesbrough subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Luke Ayling · On: S. Hansen
  17. Southampton
    119' Southampton subst · Substitution 5
    Off: C. Jander · On: C. Bragg
  18. Southampton
    120'+3 Southampton Card · Yellow Card
    Daniel Peretz

    Time wasting

Match Stats

Stat Southampton Middlesbrough
Fouls 15 19
Pass Accuracy 83% 78%
Offsides 0 1
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 20 19
Corners 11 5
Total Passes 589 405
Yellow Cards 4 4
Blocked Shots 7 9
Shots on Target 7 3
xG 1.99 0.98
Shots off Target 6 7
Possession 60% 40%
Goals Prevented -0.06 -0.06
Accurate Passes 489 316
Shots Inside Box 13 11
Saves 2 4
Shots Outside Box 7 8

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Southampton's equalizer by R. Stewart just before half-time shifted the momentum in their favor
  • ▸ Southampton capitalized on Middlesbrough's fatigue and secured the win with a goal by S. Charles in extra time