In a thrilling play-off showdown that kept fans on the edge of their seats, Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert hailed his team's resilience after they secured a dramatic victory over Middlesbrough. The Saints, trailing early, showcased their fighting spirit as Shea Charles delivered the knockout blow with just four minutes left in extra time, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

"The atmosphere was electric tonight—the fans were absolutely fantastic," Eckert told BBC Radio Solent. "We had to dig deep, and I can't praise the players enough for their effort over 120 minutes. Looking at both legs, I think we fully deserved this win."

With this hard-fought triumph, Southampton now sets their sights on a Wembley showdown against Hull City on May 23, where a spot in the Premier League hangs in the balance. But Eckert is keeping his squad grounded. "I told the boys, we're not done yet. Celebrate this moment, but there's still work to do," he added.

Off the pitch, the Saints are navigating a separate challenge. The club faces an EFL charge related to alleged spying on Middlesbrough before the first leg. Southampton released a statement on Tuesday confirming an internal review, but Eckert remains focused on the game. "We've managed to keep this from distracting the team, but we take it very seriously," he said. "It's not easy for me, but since it's an ongoing investigation, I'll have to save my comments for later."

For now, Southampton's attention is firmly on that Wembley date—and the chance to write the next chapter in their promotion story.