Sunderland have been promoted to the Premier League after beating Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final, thanks to a last gasp winner.
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Sheffield United took the lead through Tyrese CampbellEliezer Mayenda & Watson both on target in the second halfSunderland back in the Premier League after eight yearsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportTELL ME MORE
A brilliant turnaround at Wembley on Saturday afternoon means the Black Cats are once again back in English top flight. A lacklustre first half followed by an inspiring second paved the way for Jobe Bellingham and Co. to taste top-flight football again after a wait of eight years.
It was a bright start from Sheffield United who could have taken the lead just 70 seconds into the match through Kieffer Moore, but his header was somehow kept out by some remarkable goalkeeping from Anthony Patterson. However, that early attack set the tone as the Blades kept stretching the opposition defence with consistent pressure from the flanks. The afternoon got even worse for Sunderland when Luke O'Nien had to be taken off after he dislocated his right shoulder while trying to challenge Moore during an aerial battle.
After weathering the early storm, just when it seemed that the Black Cats were gradually finding their feet, a devastating counter attack sliced them open. Gustavo Hamer put his foot on the gas and, at the nick of time, squared off to Campbell. The striker brought the ball under control with a deft touch and kept his composure to dink it gently over Patterson to break the deadlock. Just after the half-hour mark, Harrison Burrows made it 2-0 through a sublime half-volley, but the goal was chalked off after a VAR review as Vinicius Souza was deemed offside and potentially blocking the view of Patterson in a crowded penalty box.
Sunderland came out more determined in the second half as they started seeing more of the ball, but a lack of imagination in attack did not help them in conjuring up that final pass to split open a gritty Sheffield defence. It seemed that it would need something special to beat Michael Cooper and Patrick Roberts produced a peach of a pass to set up Mayenda. The striker cushioned the ball on the run and rifled in a shot to bring his side back on level terms. They kept building momentum and deep in stoppage time, Watson scored a sensational winner. Moore gave away the ball and the Sunderland academy product fired in a low shot beyond the reach of Cooper to send one half of Wembley into a frenzy. A moment of class from the youngster to seal a Premier League return for his boyhood club.
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It has to be Watson! He was brought on in the 72nd minute and the 19-year-old delivered the hammer blow to Sheffield United's hopes with a neatly taken goal. It was his last game for the Blades as he is set for a summer move to Brighton, and he has done just enough to etch his name in the club folklore.
THE BIG LOSER
It was a poor giveaway from Moore at a critical area on the pitch, and that cost his team a Premier League berth. He was under no pressure and yet he lost the ball cheaply to Watson, who did the rest in style.
WHAT COMES NEXT?
Premier League is now calling for Sunderland! They are back in the English top-flight after an eight-year gap following an enthralling contest at Wembley. Two of their youngsters shone the brightest, and it will be the Black Cats joining Leeds United and Burnley in the Premier League next season.