EFL play-offs Team of the Week: Hero Tommy Watson fires boyhood club Sunderland to Premier League

The three EFL leagues played their respective play-off finals at Wembley Stadium this weekend, with six teams vying for promotion. 

Only three ended up victorious, as Sunderland, Charlton Athletic and AFC Wimbledon all secured returns to leagues that they will all feel that they belong in. 

It was the end of the road for Sheffield United, Leyton Orient and Walsall, who now have to stay in their respective leagues for at least another season. 

While all of the games were cagey, the moments within them made the wait worth it. 

Sunderland’s 95th-minute winner was easily the highlight of the weekend, as Tommy Watson scored with his last touch in a red and white shirt (more on him later). 

Here is Charlie Elliott’s Team of the Week for all three finals, in a 5-2-3 formation. 

Tommy Watson netted the winner for Sunderland in his final game for the club
PICTURE: Alamy

Owen Goodman (AFC Wimbledon) 

Wimbledon saw off Walsall 1-0 to secure their return to League One, and goalkeeper Owen Goodman played a huge part.

The on-loan Crystal Palace stopper wasn’t the busiest of players, having only made one save, but he kept things secure and was an assured presence as the last line of defence. 

On a few occasions, he acted to stop chances through either being a sweeper or claiming crosses, and his defence was clearly confident in his abilities. 

Still only 21-years-old, Goodman impressed at Wembley.

Ethan Galbraith (Leyton Orient) 

Orient may have lost 1-0 to Charlton, but Ethan Galbraith can be very happy with his performance from right back. 

The Northern Irishman completed the most dribbles, made the most passes and created the most chances in the game, showing his attacking endeavour. 

In a game which was slightly flat at times, he tried to create a spark for the O’s. 

Macauley Gillesphey (Charlton Athletic) 

Keeping a clean sheet and scoring the only goal of the game, Macauley Gillesphey helped secure the Addicks’ return to the Championship, rounding off what has been a very strong season for him.

A centre back on free kicks is rare, but Gillesphey was trusted with the ball from about 25 yards out and to the right of the goal. 

He struck it with his left foot and it curled outwards right into the corner, just beyond Josh Keeley’s grasp. 

That strike proved to be the winner – a moment he won’t forget anytime soon.

Daniel Ballard (Sunderland) 

The hero of the semi-finals, Daniel Ballard stepped up when it mattered to cement Sunderland’s promotion back to the Premier League. 

They beat Sheffield United 2-1 thanks to a very late winner, but were under the cosh for a large portion of the game. 

The Northern Irishman had a lot of defending to do across the 90, but dealt with everything that the Blades threw at him. 

He kept target man Kieffer Moore pretty quiet and snuffed out any danger. 

Very assured from the 25-year-old.

Lloyd Jones (Charlton Athletic) 

Gillesphey and Lloyd Jones have formed a formidable partnership all season, and they carried that form into the final. 

Charlie Kelman scored 23 league goals this season for Orient, but was limited to just 18 touches throughout the whole game, a clear reflection of the defensive dominance on display. 

Jones won 12 duels in the game and never looked like being beaten alongside his partner in crime. 

Josh Neufville (AFC Wimbledon) 

There wasn’t a huge influx of talent at either left back or left wing in the three finals, so Neufville gets in by virtue of being the best of the lot. 

He was lively throughout, creating a few promising moments.

Only a strong save from Tommy Simkin kept him off the scoresheet in this final.

Myles Hippolyte (AFC Wimbledon) 

The match-winner and a standout performer for Wimbledon, Myles Hippolyte capped off a superb display by securing his second League Two promotion in as many seasons, having gone up automatically with Stockport County last year.

A sweetly hit strike from the edge of the box arrowed into the corner and past Simkin, with it proving to be the only goal of the game. 

Aside from the goal, he completed the most dribbles in the game and was an absolute workhorse in the middle for the Wombles. 

Gus Hamer (Sheffield United) 

You have to wonder whether this is the end of the road for Gus Hamer at the Blades, because he is far too good for the Championship and is sure to attract Premier League interest this summer. 

He created Tyrese Campbell’s goal from absolutely nothing, after driving forward from a counterattack and playing the perfect ball through to him. 

That assist put United ahead, but they couldn’t hold onto their lead.

Hamer also created three chances, so if the finishing was a bit better, Chris Wilder’s side may have ended the day victorious. 

James Tilley (AFC Wimbledon) 

In similar fashion to the selection of his team-mate Neufville, James Tilley gets in due to all three games being relatively cagey and there not being a huge amount of attacking talent on show. 

At right wing-back, the Wimbledon man defended resolutely and, despite limited attacking impact, kept Liam Gordon well under control.

Overall a solid performer, he slots into this team at right wing, which is far more advanced than his position in the game itself. 

Eliezer Mayenda (Sunderland) 

Kept quiet for large portions of the game, Eliezer Mayenda proved that goals change games.

The Spaniard made the most of his first real opportunity to run at his man, jinking in and out before rifling his finish right into the roof of the net at Michael Cooper’s near post. 

That goal, the equaliser in the 76th minute, set the Black Cats on course for their eventual victory.

A moment of brilliance from the 20-year-old, who is certainly one to watch for the future. 

Tommy Watson (Sunderland) 

Last but certainly not least is the man who produced one of the most memorable moments in Sunderland’s history.

Watson is on his way to Brighton and Hove Albion this summer, but with his last ever touch for his boyhood club, he sent them back into the promised land.

The winger got the ball out of his feet on the edge of the box and curled a shot with the inside of his right foot right into the corner of the net. 

A truly satisfying finish because of how accurate it was, Sunderland fans went bonkers after the goal went in. 

A fitting end to a great season for the Black Cats. 

READ MORE: EFL play-offs Team of the Week: Sheffield United shine with four picks after Bristol City rout