Sunderland was on the winning side of the late Wembley drama to secure a return to the Premier League.
After defeating Sheffield United in a thrilling play-off final, Sunderland has returned to the Premier League. Don't be so cynical, guys, please, please, please. In the Premier League, promoted teams have recently had a difficult time.
Despite heavy investment, Southampton almost set an unpleasant record this season, and teams like Luton, Burnley, and Ipswich were unable to make it.
When football fans analyzed Sheffield United and Sunderland's chances of surviving before this season's Championship play-off final, they came to the conclusion that, ironically, the Blades are more Premier League-ready despite losing with 16 points and 104 goals given up just the previous season.
They finished the Championship campaign comfortably third with 90 points, 22 ahead of play-off semi-final opponents Bristol City, who they easily defeated.
However, after securing their play-off berth, Sunderland had a terrible regular season. It was a thrilling victory over Coventry City under Frank Lampard, and Dan Ballard skillfully headed in to prevent the anxiety of a penalty shootout at the Stadium of Light.
Sheffield United scored their first-ever goal in a play-off final on Saturday, breaking a particular duck that both teams carried into the match.
What a goal it was. Prior to that, though, Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson made a spectacular save to keep out Kieffer Moore, who would later make the game-ending decision. Only 70 seconds in, Moore's header appeared headed for the bottom corner, but Patterson stopped it with a claw.
This was the identical goal in which Dean Henderson had saved the day in the FA Cup final. The afternoon of Luke O'Nein was likewise halted by that header. "Mr. Sunderland" had what seemed to be a dislocated shoulder and was in noticeable agony.
After losing a crucial player to injury, Sunderland found it difficult to establish themselves in the final and fell behind in the 25th minute. Supporters of the Black Cats were punished on the counter just as they had a glimmer of optimism.
Sheffield United rushed forward after a Black Cats corner, and Tyreese Campbell dinked the ball over Patterson after Gustavo Hamer slipped a neat trivela pass through a defender's knees. When the team scored their first goal in a play-off final, Wembley erupted in cheers.
Vinicius Souza was definitely impeding Patterson, who fell late, and when Harrison Burrows' volley struck the net shortly after, it appeared as though they would increase their lead, but it was disallowed for offside. After a lengthy VAR check, Chris Kavanagh finally disallowed it, correctly but frustratingly slowly.
That choice was a change. Eliezer Mayenda's calm finish after a brilliantly weighted feed from Patrick Roberts gave Sunderland a well-earned equalizer as they started to settle into the match. Who was there to shout instructions from the touchline and celebrate? Naturally, O'Nein's arm is now in a sling.
With Hamer substituted off and momentum on their side, Sunderland appeared to have a better chance of winning.
And they did, in a spectacular way. Tommy Watson, a 19-year-old academy product who is leaving for Brighton this summer, gave Sunderland a memorable play-off moment in the 95th minute. He displayed ridiculous maturity with his pass-like, inch-perfect finish into the bottom corner. In the Blades goal, Michael Cooper made a futile stretch.
Watson is crucial to Sunderland's return to the Premier League, something they haven't had since 2016–17. Sheffield United's loss in the play-off final marks their tenth unsuccessful play-off campaign overall and their fifth overall.
From the perspective of the Blades, the winning goal was a complete failure. Kieffer Moore’s weak pass handed Watson all the time in the world to win it. Sheffield United might have lost a lot of money and promotion at that point.
After a treacherous period filled with lows, heartbreaking promotions, back-to-back relegations, and even the appearance of Zlatan Ibrahimovic on transfer shortlists, Sunderland is back in the Premier League, and the Tyne-Wear rivalry is no exception.
It's something different, at least. To stay up, Sunderland will probably spend a lot of money, but they must make the proper hires for practically every position or they will fall back to the bottom. That is sufficient negativity.
On a day that is significant for Sunderland and Regis Le Bris, none of that should occur. Congratulations, guys. Please make the relegation fight exciting. Here, we're kneeling.
Comments