Sunderland turned heartache to ecstasy by propelling themselves back to the Premier League in the sweetest of fashions.
With 15 minutes left on the clock, it looked as though the Black Cats were destined for another season in the second tier. A goal behind on the scoreboard, Régis Le Bris’ side seemed out of ideas as they failed time and time again to break through Sheffield United‘s formidable rearguard.
But just when hope was seemingly evaporating, the match was remarkably turned on its head.
In what was their first clear cut chance of the game, Sunderland dramatically levelled proceedings through Eliezer Mayenda, before academy graduate Tom Watson fired home an injury time winner to send the Mackems into absolute pandemonium.
The entire game was an enthralling watch as both sides threw everything at a dream ticket to football‘s richest division.
Within the very first minute Sheffield went close to breaking the deadlock as Gus Hamer’s enticing cross was headed goalwards by Kieffer Moore, only for keeper Anthony Patterson to brilliantly claw the ball away.
Chris Wilder‘s side remained on the front foot and went ahead midway through the first half, courtesy of a counter attack executed with clinical precision.
Hamer did exceptionally well to latch onto a headed clearance before taking the ball forward and cleverly playing in Tyreece Campbell with a through ball.
The former Stoke man calmly took a touch and exquisitely dinked the ball over Patterson to give United first blood in the final.
Moments later the lead looked to have been doubled as Harrison Burrows’ brilliant half volley flew into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
However, just as the left back wheeled off to celebrate, a dreaded VAR check halted celebrations in their tracks.
An agonising wait ensued as referee Chris Kavanagh meticulously studied the pitch side monitor.
Eventually the goal was ruled out, with the offside Vini Souza adjudged to have infringed with Patterson’s eyeline as Burrows’ strike flashed through the box.
It was a let off for Sunderland who were relieved to hurry off the pitch at half-time for a much needed debrief.
A step up in tempo was essential and the Black Cats came out for the second period with a greater sense of belief.
Le Bris’ side were enjoying more of the ball but for much the half were still restricted to speculative long range efforts. A looping Patrick Roberts effort on the hour mark which went harmlessly over the bar summed up Sunderland’s predicament.
In fact, it should have been game over with 20 minutes left when Sheffield substitute Andre Brooks was presented with a glorious opportunity.
The 21-year-old did brilliantly to pounce on some lax defending from a long ball and suddenly found himself clean through on goal with just Patterson to beat.
Brooks steadied himself but fired a driven effort straight at the legs of the keeper, leaving the Sheffield faithful with hands on heads.
Perhaps this lucky escape finally snapped Sunderland into life, because soon after they wrestled back the initiative and drew level.
Substitute Roberts ferociously drove into the United half with the ball at his feet, before playing in Mayenda with a perfectly measured pass who slammed home emphatically.
The outpouring of relief from the Sunderland end was palpable, as fears of a second Wembley defeat in six years were tamed.
It set up a grandstand finish, with hometown hero Watson grabbing the chance to put his name up in lights in extraordinary circumstances.
Just as the game looked destined to drift into extra time, the midfielder picked up a misplaced Moore back pass and didn’t look back, sprinting forwards before brilliantly side footing a curled effort past the outstretched Michael Cooper.
Five of the seven minutes of injury time had been played when the ball magically nestled into the Sheffield net, with the Black Cats gallantly seeing out the final moments to hold onto their cherished lead and seal a return to the promised land.
This afternoon’s victory was the culmination of a history making campaign for Le Bris’ side, who have placed youthful fearlessness at the forefront of their campaign, statistically having the youngest squad in the Championship.
It was therefore fitting that it was 19-year-old Watson who struck the winner under the arch to secure the win and send the jubilant Sunderland faithful off for a night to remember in the capital.
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