Sheffield United 1-2 Sunderland: FLW reports as Black Cats seal dramatic Premier League return | OneFootball

Sunderland are back in the Premier League

Sunderland have returned to the Premier League after securing a dramatic 2-1 victory over Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final, ending their eight year stint away from English football's top tier.

A last-gasp winner from substitute Tommy Watson in the 94th minute sealed the victory for the Black Cats who head back to the Premier League after a lengthy absence.

As for Sheffield United, their sorry record in the play-offs continues, making it ten unsuccessful play-off campaigns for the Blades.

The 14 points that separated the Blades from Sunderland in the second tier table meant this play-off final was the first to be contested by teams who finished more than 12 points apart in the regular domestic season.

Sheffield United 1-2 Sunderland

It was nearly the perfect start for Chris Wilder's side after just one minute of the game as Gus Hamer picked up the ball on the left and floated in an inviting cross for Kieffer Moore, who saw his header smartly saved by Anthony Patterson.

The wobbly opening advances for the Black Cats were made worse after just five minutes when ever-present centre-back Luke O'Nien landed awkwardly in his own box, consequently meaning he had to come off to be replaced by Chris Mepham.

The Blades made their early pressure count and they broke the deadlock in the 24th minute, after an electric burst of pace through the centre of the pitch from Championship player of the year Gus Hamer saw him set up Tyrese Campbell, who delicately chipped it over the on-rushing Patterson to send the Blades fans into delirium.

Just 10 minutes later, the Blades thought they had gone 2-0 up as Harrison Burrows fired in a strike from outside the box into the bottom right-hand corner of the Sunderland net, however, VAR checked and determined that Vinicius Souza was in an offside position and made an obvious action that clearly impacted the goalkeeper’s ability to play the ball.

Le Bris' side's inability to get a hold on the half was certainly in part due to Enzo Le Fee's lack of influence on the game, as the Frenchman had only 18 touches in the opening 45 minutes.

Sunderland began the opening advances of the second half well, looking a lot more confident as Romaine Mundle looked to be the Mackems' main creative force.

It wasn't until the 69th minute of the second half that the first major chance of the second 45 materialised.

Substitute Andre Brooks found himself high up the pitch and dispossessed Dennis Cirkin which allowed him to be virtually one on one with Patterson, but his low shot was saved by the outstretched leg of the Black Cats keeper.

Eliezer Mayenda rocket fires Sunderland level

As the game was reaching the final 15 minutes, out of nowhere, Sunderland snatched an equaliser.

Patrick Roberts picked up the ball in the Sheffield United half and fed a defence splitting pass through to Eliezer Mayenda - the attacker then fired a ferocious strike into the roof of the net past Michael Cooper, who had no hope of reacting quick enough.

The Zaragoza-born forward's goal setup a grandstand finish at Wembley as both sides searched for a winner in the closing minutes.

Sheffield United v Sunderland attendance

The official attendance at Wembley was 82,718.

A grandstand finish it certainly was, as in the 94th minute of the match, Tommy Watson struck.

Tommy Watson winner sends Sunderland wild

The Black Cats star, who is heading to Brighton and Hove Albion in the summer, capitalised on a sloppy pass from Kieffer Moore, drove forward with the ball and slid it expertly past Michael Cooper to send the Black Cats fans wild.

This was Watson's parting gift to the Mackems faithful and one that will be remembered for years to come.

Sheffield United may well wonder how this final unravelled so quickly but credit must be handed to Sunderland who, after finishing the regular season with five straight losses, find themselves back in English football's elite division.

Often dubbed the richest game in football, Sunderland will now reap financial rewards worth up to a potential £220 million as the glitz and glamour of the English top tier beckons.