Sheffield United 1-2 Sunderland: Local boy Tom Watson hero of the day as the Black Cats return to the Premier League after eight years
In the 95th minute the red and white end of Wembley erupted as Tom Watson wheeled away, shirt off, both fists pumping the air. Sunderland, a club that have known more suffering than celebration in the last decade, had just completed a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final.
After eight long years away, Sunderland are back in the Premier League. For Sheffield United, it was heartbreak. They had controlled the game for long stretches, taken a deserved lead, and looked the more polished, more experienced side. But control means little at Wembley if you can’t finish the job. Chris Wilder’s men, who had actually finished 14 points ahead of Sunderland in the table, paid for their wastefulness and a moment of loose play in the dying seconds.
The Premier League return brings a reward estimated at over £200 million for the Black Cats. It also means that Jobe Bellingham, Jude Bellingham’s younger brother, will be playing Premier League football next season. Watson, who came off the bench to score the winner, will be playing in the top-flight too but not with his boyhood club, having already agreed a move to Brighton.
Speaking to the media he said: “I’ve been thinking about it for weeks. I think the story was written when I came off the bench. We’ll see each other next season in the Premier League.”
The match had started perfectly for the Blades. In the 25th minute, Tyrese Campbell surged forward to finish off a brilliant counter-attack, latching onto Gustavo Hamer’s slick pass and deftly lobbing the goalkeeper. It was no less than they deserved. Kieffer Moore had already gone close with a header, and Sunderland, nervy and disjointed, had lost Luke O’Nien to a shoulder injury.
By the time VAR chalked off Harrison Burrows’ follow-up goal for a marginal offside, Sunderland fans must have been fearing the worst, but in the 76th minute Eliezer Mayenda, who had barely had a sniff all game, changed everything. The Spaniard collected inside the area, took a touch and unleashed a rocket past Michael Cooper to level the tie.
Sheffield were rattled, Sunderland re-energised. But if there was a hero in this tie there was also a villain. Extra time loomed until Kieffer Moore gave the ball away cheaply in midfield. Watson, on for just ten minutes, pounced. One glance; one touch; one low, almost casual strike and the ball arrowed into the bottom corner, and Sunderland fans saw their dreams come true.
