In a pulsating Championship play-off ultimate at Wembley, Sunderland snatched a dramatic 2-1 win over Sheffield United because of academy star Tom Watson’s gorgeous stoppage-time strike.
The Black Cats secured a Premier League return after eight years away with a efficiency that grew in the direction of the tip of the sport within the capital.
Sheffield United, who had completed 14 factors forward of Sunderland within the common season, stormed forward of took an early benefit.
Within the twenty fifth minute, they broke the impasse by means of Tyrese Campbell, who was fantastically arrange by Gustavo Hamer.
Hamer burst clear on the counter-attack, slipping Campbell in behind the defence with an inch-perfect cross. The striker saved his composure to chip Anthony Patterson and ship the Blades followers into raptures.
The primary half was largely dominated by Chris Wilder’s crew, who created a string of probabilities. Moore had a header clawed off the road by Patterson inside the opening minutes, whereas Burrows thought he had doubled the lead with a robust strike that was chalked off by VAR for obstruction.
SUNDERLAND AFC ARE PREMIER LEAGUE!!!!
pic.twitter.com/XNetaXn8Og
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) May 24, 2025
Sunderland struggled to search out rhythm early on, particularly after shedding captain Luke O’Nien to damage contained in the opening minutes.
Nevertheless, the Black Cats started to search out their toes within the second half. Substitute Patrick Roberts made an instantaneous impression, drifting inside to search out Eliezer Mayenda with a exact by means of ball within the 76th minute.
Mayenda, who has been in very good kind this season, made no mistake, thundering his shot into the highest nook to convey Sunderland degree.
The ultimate phases of the match have been a frenetic affair. Sheffield United pushed for a winner, however Sunderland grew more and more harmful on the break. A sequence of substitutions, together with the introduction of Tom Watson, proved to be the distinction.
Because the clock ticked into the one hundredth minute – prolonged by accidents and a prolonged VAR verify – Watson seized his second.
Moore misplaced possession on midway, and Watson drove ahead, weaving his approach to the sting of the field. With nerves of metal, the 18-year-old curled a low shot past the despairing dive of Michael Cooper and into the bottom-right nook, igniting pandemonium among the many Sunderland trustworthy.
I’VE NEVER SEEN SCENES LIKE IT pic.twitter.com/zLXgNZV78C
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) May 24, 2025
Watson’s celebrations have been as passionate as his end – tearing off his shirt and incomes a yellow card within the course of, however nobody in white would have cared. It was the right send-off for the younger man, who is about for a summer season switch to Brighton.
Sheffield United had no time to reply as the ultimate whistle adopted quickly after Watson’s heroics. For the Blades, heartbreak at Wembley continues, extending their dismal document in play-off finals.
For Sunderland, it marks a triumphant return to the highest flight and a fairytale ending to their promotion push.
