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Sunderland secured Premier League promotion after eight years with a dramatic 2-1 win over Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final.
Sunderland celebrate their Premier League promotion. (PC: AFP)
Sunderland secured promotion to the Premier League after an eight-year absence, thanks to Tommy Watson’s dramatic stoppage-time goal that clinched a 2-1 victory over Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final on Saturday.
Regis Le Bris’ team had trailed to Tyrese Campbell’s first-half goal at Wembley, but Eliezer Mayenda equalized late in the game, setting the stage for Watson’s crucial winner.
This unexpected turn in the richest match in world football saw Sunderland recover from a slow start to achieve a promotion valued at an estimated £200 million ($270 million) in increased revenue.
Watson’s decisive moment means Sunderland fans can look forward to renewing their rivalry with Newcastle next season.
Sunderland’s return to the Premier League for the first time since 2017 marks the end of a challenging period that included four seasons in the third tier.
Despite suffering five consecutive defeats prior to the play-offs, the Black Cats showed resilience to earn promotion in a remarkable manner.
In the semi-final second leg against Coventry, Dan Ballard’s last-minute extra-time header secured a 3-2 aggregate victory, just as a penalty shoot-out loomed.
With only 14 minutes remaining at Wembley, Sunderland appeared down and out before their stunning comeback.
Le Bris, a 49-year-old Frenchman, has overseen an impressive turnaround since joining Sunderland last year after being relegated from Ligue 1 with Lorient.
Meanwhile, United continue their winless streak at Wembley, spanning 100 years, with four Championship final defeats among ten failed play-off attempts.
United, who finished third in the table, 14 points ahead of fourth-placed Sunderland, saw that advantage rendered meaningless.
Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson made a brilliant save in the second minute, diving to his left to claw Kieffer Moore’s header off the line, evoking memories of Jim Montgomery’s famous save in the 1973 FA Cup final against Leeds.
Sunderland captain Luke O’Nien suffered a dislocated shoulder while trying to stop Moore’s header, forcing him off in pain.
United deservedly took the lead in the 25th minute when Ben Hamer’s perfectly weighted pass found Campbell, who calmly finished over Patterson from 12 yards.
This goal held extra significance for the 25-year-old, approaching the first anniversary of his father Kevin Campbell’s death, the former Arsenal and Everton striker.
Harrison Burrows nearly doubled United’s lead nine minutes later, but his goal was disallowed for offside against Vini Souza after a VAR check.
Andre Brooks, a United substitute, broke through on goal after the interval, but Patterson made a superb save with his foot.
This miss proved costly, as Mayenda equalized for Sunderland with their second shot on target in the 76th minute.
Patrick Roberts’ precise pass found Mayenda inside the area, and he capitalized on United’s poor marking with a powerful finish into the roof of the net.
O’Nien, with his shoulder in a sling, ran off the bench to celebrate with Mayenda, waving his good arm in jubilation.
The scene was a prelude to the ecstatic celebrations sparked by Watson’s goal five minutes into stoppage time.
Pouncing on Moore’s loose pass, Watson drove to the edge of the United area and curled a low shot into the bottom corner past Michael Cooper’s slow dive.
Watson, set to join Brighton in the close season, provided the perfect parting gift by ensuring Sunderland will join him among English football’s elite.
(With AFP Inputs)
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United Kingdom (UK)
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