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Sunderland’s bid to return to the Premier League after an eight-year absence — a dark period that has included a spell in the third tier — remains alive.
Sunderland clinched a nail-biter 3-2 win in the absolute dying seconds of extra time against Coventry (X)
All’s fair in love and war. Sunderland knew the same and acted accordingly, as even their groundsmen embarked on shrewd tactics to aid their Championship side’s dream of promotion to the Premier League.
In the club’s bid to give any advantage possible, the Sunderland ground staff spent all day yesterday moving their advertising boards in by two metres at the Stadium of Light ahead of their play-off second leg against Coventry.
The Sky Blues have scored more headers & more goals from crosses than any other team in the Premier League & EFL this season, with Milan van Ewijk known to launch throw-ins into the danger area.
Well, one could guess it worked in their favour since Sunderland reached the Championship play-off final most dramatically with Dan Ballard’s goal in the dying seconds of extra-time sealed a 3-2 aggregate victory against Coventry.
Regis Le Bris’ side trailed to Ephron Mason-Clark’s goal late in the second half of the semi-final second leg.
But, with a penalty shoot-out moments away, Ballard headed home in stoppage time to earn a 1-1 draw and spark wild celebrations from over 46,000 fans packed into the Stadium of Light.
Promotion dream lives on
United finished in third place, 14 points clear of fourth-placed Sunderland in the regular season, with both teams winning one against each other this season.
Sunderland’s bid to return to the Premier League after an eight-year absence — a dark period that has included a spell in the third tier — remains alive.
But Le Bris’ men will have to improve significantly on a nervous display that nearly gifted a place in the final to Coventry.
Sunderland will face Sheffield United in the play-off final at Wembley on May 24.
(with agency inputs)
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