No Premier League promotion for Chuba Akpom’s Middlesbrough

Coventry sealed their spot in the Championship play-off final as they overcame Chuba Akpom’s Middlesbrough 1-0 on Wednesday night.

It was a quiet night for the Championship top scorer who could not wave his magic wand when it mattered most to help Boro gain a place in the playoff final after playing a knock he suffered early in the game.

Following on from a goalless draw in the first leg, it was Coventry who struck the killer blow at the Riverside Stadium as Gustavo Hamer netted in the second half.

Although, it was Middlesbrough who dominated the possession, as expected, but it was Coventry who had the big early opening.

A mistake from Tommy Smith with a misplaced backpass was seized upon by Viktor Gyokeres, but Zack Steffen was quick to react to deny the Swede.

Coventry stepped on the gas in the second half and on 57 minutes the deadlock in the tie was finally broken. Gyokeres was the instigator again, as his fine work saw the ball fall into the path of Hamer – who steadied himself, shifted the ball onto his right foot, and then bent one into the top corner.

Akpom’s future at Middlesbrough will be the subject of speculation in the weeks ahead following Middlesbrough’s failure to qualify for the Championship playoff final.

However, it remains to be seen whether the Super Eagles hopeful will stay at the Riverside stadium beyond this season despite being contracted to Middlesbrough until June 2024 as the club triggered the one-year extension clause in his contract.

The 28-year-old has been attracting a lot of interest from a host of Premier League clubs and German outfits, Werder Bremen and Borussia Monchengladbach.

Boro will again play in the Championship next season, and their wait for top-flight football will stretch to at least seven years.