How Alan Shearer and Jordan Pickford reacted to Sunderland AFC's promotion | OneFootball

The Black Cats are Premier League bound following their late win over Sheffield United.

Alan Shearer and Jordan Pickford had two very different reactions to Sunderland winning promotion to the Premier League.

One of the most drama-filled footballing post-seasons you will ever see was beautifully capped off by a moment that totally summed Sunderland AFC up. After trailing 1-0 (almost 2-0) for the majority of their play-off final against Sheffield United, Eliezer Mayenda gave the Black Cats hope with a wonderful strike into the roof of the net with around 14 minutes left in regulation time.

And then, just under 20 minutes later, nearly five minutes into added time, came the moment, a moment that Sunderland supporters had waited on for nearly eight years: Tommy Watson's moment.

The 18-year-old academy graduate has received a lot of stick since his £10 million move to Brighton & Hove Albion was agreed at the start of April, but he simultaneously silenced the haters and blew the lid off of Wembley Stadium when he beautifully placed a curling effort into the bottom-right hand corner, sending Sunderland up to the Premier League with what was his final touch in a red and white shirt.

His heroics mean that the Stadium of Light will host top flight football for the first time since the 2016/17 season. They've been to League One and back since then and have been promoted both times via the play-offs. Now comes the hardest challenge of all - staying in the Premier League.

Alan Shearer and Jordan Pickford react to Sunderland's Premier League promotion

They will face some of the country's biggest and best teams, including northeastern rivals Newcastle United. It was only in the 2023/24 campaign that the Black Cats and the Magpies last met in the FA Cup third round. Eddie Howe's side prevailed with a 3-0 away win.

Shearer, Newcastle's all-time top scorer, was asked about his feelings on Sunderland's promotion by Gary Lineker in the presenter's final appearance on Match of the Day, following the end of last season. Shearer said: "I'm pleased Sunderland are back up," to which fellow pundit Micah Richards replied: "Are you? That's not what you said in the green room."

One man who is excited to see Sunderland back in the Premier League is Everton's goalkeeper. Pickford, like Wembley hero Watson, progressed through the Academy of Light ranks before becoming the club's first choice goalkeeper. He was sold to the Toffees for an initial £25 million after the club were relegated to the Championship in 2017. He hasn't played at his home ground since then.

The 31-year-old got to watch Sunderland's win against the Blades on his way to face Newcastle in Everton's last game of the season because their plane didn't take off on time. Pickford even considered trying to attend the game live but thought better than to chance his luck with ex-Black Cats boss David Moyes, who is leading the charge at Everton.

"Fortunately our plane was a bit delayed, so we just sat in the lounge watching it," the goalkeeper told the Liverpool Echo. "It was a great win and all my mates were down there. I don’t think the gaffer would have dared let me go down. I wouldn’t have been here today!

"It’s great for a club the size it is and how big it is as a club. To see them back in the Premier League is going to be amazing. I can’t wait to get up there and play them at the Stadium of Light, it’s going to be a great moment for me."

Sunderland will make plenty of noise in the top flight

The home of the Wearsiders is going to be a tough place for opposing teams to come to next season, especially early in the campaign. We all know how difficult it will be for the Black Cats to have a real chance of not finishing in the bottom three next season, but they won't go down without a fight.

Like Leeds United and Burnley, they will feel they are back in their rightful spot, playing against the best. The advantage that the Stadium of Light will give them should provide a big boost to their survival hopes.