Substitutes were the key for Sunderland as they came from a goal down to beat Sheffield United 2-1 in the Championship Play-off Final.
The Black Cats will return to the Premier League for the first time since 2016-17. But for so long it had looked like they would fall short once again. And not just in the Final.
Sunderland went into the play-offs winless in their final six regular season games, losing their last five — and scoring just one goal during that run. They turned things around in the semi-finals, beating Coventry City over two legs to book a return to Wembley.
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But Sunderland have had an up-and-down relationship with Wembley in recent years. The Black Cats have won two and lost two of their past four visits to the Home of Football. The past two did come in their most recent visits, winning the 2020-21 EFL Trophy and then the 2021-22 League One Play-off Final.
They started the 2024-25 Championship Play-off Final as if they were still in League One. Sunderland were under the cosh from the opening second, and should have been a goal down inside a few minutes. But Kieffer Moore’s good header forced an even better save from Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, denying an effort with a post-shot Expected Goals total of 0.65.
Sunderland didn’t react to that early chance conceded, with Sheffield United’s dominance growing. And when Sheffield United went 1-0 up, Sunderland could have no complaints.
The goal came from a Sunderland corner, which Sheffield United dealt with excellently. The ball was cleared and Gustavo Hamer went on the chase. Hamer won his foot race with the defender before playing a brilliant pass across to Tyrese Campbell, who lifted the ball over Patterson.
Sunderland did react, but only because Sheffield United were happy to let him, hoping to hit the Black Cats on the counter. By the end of the first half, Sunderland had managed two shots, with one tame effort on target.
Sunderland continued to enjoy more of the ball in the second half, but again without really troubling Michael Cooper in the Sheffield United goal. Sheffield United had a chance to go 2-0 up, with Andre Brooks capitalising on an error from Dennis Cirkin — but his effort was saved.
Not long after that, Tommy Watson was brought on for his final game for Sunderland, set to join Brighton and Hove Albion in the summer. And what an impact he would have.
Another substitute had his moment first, though. Patrick Roberts has been Sunderland’s most creative player in the Championship this season. The 28-year-old has created 66 chances in the Championship this season, including the play-offs, more than any other Sunderland player. He also ends the season with the most assists for the Black Cats, on seven.
The seventh was the most important too, setting up Eliezer Mayenda for the equaliser when Sunderland looked destined for more play-off heartbreak. It was one of just six passes Roberts completed, but he was a menace when he got onto the ball, giving Sheffield United a problem they hadn’t had in the first 74 minutes.
And then Watson stole the headlines. The 19-year-old had just five touches after coming off the bench at Wembley, with his final one sending Sunderland to the Premier League.
Sunderland had won the ball back high up the pitch, with Kieffer Moore the one to lose possession. Watson’s finish was excellent, placing the ball into the bottom corner from outside the box when even a shot looked hard to pull off.
He’ll face Sunderland in the Premier League next season, but Watson will be forever remembered as the local lad who got them back to the big time.