Welcome to FT and our little corner of it, Punchubby!

Contrary to the other posters above whose experiences may be based on US airlines, gate agents on EK don't have any authority to upgrade you (loads and cabin assignments are done by a controller who is never present at the gate) and cabin crew and ground staff are complete strangers to one another - only the purser on board will have the authority to move people around the cabins.

You mentioned you have points - I assume with Skywards. You may have got a complimentary upgrade at the gate - you mentioned you didn't check your boarding pass: at the gate they may have printed a new one with the upgrade already processed there.

Glad you enjoyed your trip and I hope your injury isn't too serious!