Sheffield United 1-2 Sunderland: Dramatic comeback seals Black Cats’ Premier League return | OneFootball

Sunderland pulled off a late comeback to secure promotion to the Premier League after beating Sheffield United 2-1 in the EFL Championship Play-Off final at Wembley Stadium.

The Blades started quickly, opening the scoring within the first 25 minutes through a beautifully worked goal from Tyrese Campbell. They thought they had doubled their lead soon after, but it was ruled out for offside.

Sunderland pushed to get back into the game before half-time, but Sheffield United held their 1-0 lead at the break, with £220 million and a place in the Premier League on the line.

The Black Cats responded in the 76th minute when Eliezer Mayenda converted their first real chance of the game. The comeback was completed in stoppage time, as soon-to-be Brighton man Tommy Watson slotted past Michael Cooper to send Sunderland back to the topflight.

As it happenend

Sheffield United started the game strong, putting early pressure on Sunderland’s backline and, in the second minute, Kieffer Moore should have given them the lead. Gustavo Hamer floated a pinpoint cross into the area, where Moore rose above the defence to head goalwards. Still, Anthony Patterson dived low to his bottom left corner and somehow clawed the ball off the line to keep the score level.

The Blades continued to dominate and, in the 25th minute, opened the scoring through Campbell. Hamer again was found in space down the right and slid through the striker, who dinked Patterson to give his side the lead.

Chris Wilder’s men thought they had a second after winning a corner on the left, which was headed clear at the near post. The ball fell to Harrison Burrows on the edge of the box, and he rifled a first-time half-volley through the crowd and into the far corner. However, with bodies obstructing Patterson’s view, a VAR check followed, and the goal was eventually chalked off.

Sunderland grew into the game but couldn’t create a real chance until added time, when Chris Rigg’s half-volley from the edge of the box was easily saved by Cooper, as The Blades sat just 45 minutes from the Premier League.

The Black Cats started the second half with more pressure and momentum, but it wasn’t until the 76th minute that they showed their quality. Substitute Patrick Roberts slid the ball through to Mayenda, who smashed his effort past Cooper to get his side back on level terms.

With the game heading to extra time, a moment of magic was needed – and Watson delivered. The attacking midfielder found space in front of The Blades’ defence and, from outside the box, curled his shot past Cooper to send the fans behind the goal into a frenzy.

It was quite the parting gift from the man set to move to Brighton come next season. His effort secured Sunderland’s return to the Premier League – and his place in the history books.

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