In a pulsating Championship play-off final at Wembley, Sunderland snatched a dramatic 2-1 win over Sheffield United thanks to academy star Tom Watson’s stunning stoppage-time strike.
The Black Cats secured a Premier League return after eight years away with a performance that grew towards the end of the game in the capital.
Sheffield United, who had finished 14 points ahead of Sunderland in the regular season, stormed ahead of took an early advantage.
In the 25th minute, they broke the deadlock through Tyrese Campbell, who was superbly set up by Gustavo Hamer.
Hamer burst clear on the counter-attack, slipping Campbell in behind the defence with an inch-perfect pass. The striker kept his composure to chip Anthony Patterson and send the Blades fans into raptures.
The first half was largely dominated by Chris Wilder’s team, who created a string of chances. Moore had a header clawed off the line by Patterson within the opening minutes, while Burrows thought he had doubled the lead with a powerful strike that was chalked off by VAR for obstruction.
SUNDERLAND AFC ARE PREMIER LEAGUE!!!! 😍😍😍 pic.twitter.com/XNetaXn8Og
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) May 24, 2025
Sunderland struggled to find rhythm early on, especially after losing captain Luke O’Nien to injury inside the opening minutes.
However, the Black Cats began to find their feet in the second half. Substitute Patrick Roberts made an immediate impact, drifting inside to find Eliezer Mayenda with a precise through ball in the 76th minute.
Mayenda, who has been in superb form this season, made no mistake, thundering his shot into the top corner to bring Sunderland level.
The final stages of the match were a frenetic affair. Sheffield United pushed for a winner, but Sunderland grew increasingly dangerous on the break. A series of substitutions, including the introduction of Tom Watson, proved to be the difference.
As the clock ticked into the 100th minute – extended by injuries and a lengthy VAR check – Watson seized his moment.
Moore lost possession on halfway, and Watson drove forward, weaving his way to the edge of the box. With nerves of steel, the 18-year-old curled a low shot beyond the despairing dive of Michael Cooper and into the bottom-right corner, igniting pandemonium among the Sunderland faithful.
I'VE NEVER SEEN SCENES LIKE IT pic.twitter.com/zLXgNZV78C
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) May 24, 2025
Watson’s celebrations were as passionate as his finish – tearing off his shirt and earning a yellow card in the process, but no one in white would have cared. It was the perfect send-off for the young man, who is set for a summer transfer to Brighton.
Sheffield United had no time to respond as the final whistle followed soon after Watson’s heroics. For the Blades, heartbreak at Wembley continues, extending their dismal record in play-off finals.
For Sunderland, it marks a triumphant return to the top flight and a fairytale ending to their promotion push.
