There be at least one Northeast team in the Premier League next season, as Middlesbrough has clinched automatic promotion.
Cristhian Stuani’s goal helped Boro to a 1-1 draw with third-placed Brighton & Hove Albion, which will now need to win the promotion playoffs to go up.
Boro was last in the Premier League seven years ago, and will have at most one Northeast rival next season. Newcastle is currently in 17th place in the PL, with Sunderland in 18th.
[ MORE: Dyche hails Clarets “business-like” promotion ]
Burnley has already been promoted, while Aston Villa has been relegated to the Championship.
Brighton will face Sheffield Wednesday in the first round of the playoffs, with the winner going on to battle the victor of Hull City and Derby County for the right to join the PL in 2016-17.
