Sunderland Secure Premier League Return

27/05/2025 10:12 Share

Sunderland Secure Premier League Return

Sunderland will return to the Premier League for the first time since the 2016/17 season after securing victory in a dramatic EFL Championship play-off final at Wembley.

The Vertu-backed side had been in contention for promotion throughout the season, with a four-game winning streak to life under Regis Le Bris leaving the Black Cats amongst the fancied sides from early in the campaign.

A fourth-place finish in the standings secured a play-off semi-final where Dan Ballard’s goal deep into stoppage time at the Stadium of Light secured a 3-2 aggregate win over Coventry City and a trip to Wembley to face Sheffield United.

The two teams had taken a win apiece in the league encounters earlier in the season and – in front of a crowd of nearly 83,000 – it was Sheffield United who had the best of the early chances.

Kieffer Moore went close with a header inside the first ten minutes, with Luke O’Nien forced to leave the field injured having tried to prevent the forward from getting onto the end of a cross from Gustavo Hamer.

It was little surprise when the Blades took the lead through Tyrese Campbell after 25 minutes, and they could have been two clear by the break had VAR not been in place for the game – with the video referee ruling out a second from Harrison Burrows for off-side.

Sheffield United continued to create chances in the second half, with Anthony Patterson pulling off a stunning save to deny Andre Brooks, with Sunderland then starting to grow in confidence.

With 14 minutes left, the equaliser arrived when Eliezer Mayenda was played in by Patrick Roberts and blasted a shot high beyond the ‘keeper and into the net to send the Sunderland fans wild.

Suddenly, a game that seemed to be slipping away was back in the balance and deep into stoppage time, a loose ball from Moore was picked up mid-way through the Sheffield United half by Tommy Watson – who had come on with less than 20 minutes remaining for his final appearance before completing a summer transfer to Brighton.

Driving forwards, the teenager sent in a low shot from outside the box that nestled in the corner to confirm a spot in the top flight next season.

What made it all the more impressive was that Sunderland had the youngest starting eleven in the Championship and a squad with limited experience of the top flight compared to the remainder of the division.

The League One play-off final saw Charlton Athletic secure promotion to the Championship thanks to a victory over Charlton following a free-kick from Macaulay Gillesphey, whilst it was AFC Wimbledon who emerged victorious in the League Two final against Walsall thanks to a single goal from Myles Hippolyte.