Sunderland stunned Sheffield United with a dramatic 95th-minute winner to seal a comeback 2-1 win and their return to the Premier League after eight years away.
Tyrese Campbell had given the Blades the lead in the Championship play-off final at Wembley in the first half, but Sunderland struck back in the second with goals from Eliezer Mayenda and substitute Tommy Watson - the latter coming in the fifth minute of added time - to seal an astonishing win.
The significance of the achievement was highlighted by the fact it was the first time in 15 years a team had come from behind to win a Championship final.
Tommy Watson: The homegrown lad who leaves Sunderland a hero
sunderland
It was likely his final touch in a Sunderland shirt. The 19-year-old winger who has signed for Brighton was thrown on as a 'Hail Mary' by Regis Le Bris in the closing stages, but he provided a moment that will last a lifetime.
Picking up the ball after a loose pass from Kieffer Moore, he drove at Sheffield United's defence and bent one into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
There were a lot of Sunderland fans not happy to see him leave before he had even made a mark at the club. He will more than likely be forgiven now. Some have spent years at the Stadium of Light without making the impact Watson did with the sweep of his right boot in stoppage-time here.
Incident-packed opening minutes
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Patterson save v SHU
Anthony Patterson makes a remarkable stop from a Kieffer Moore header to prevent an early nightmare for Sunderland against Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final.
Any fears of a turgid play-off final with little action at either end were dispelled within minutes. Sheffield United should have led from their first attack, but Anthony Patterson had other ideas - diving low to his left to brilliantly keep out Moore's header. The big striker could not believe it.
But it did not come without consequence for Sunderland. Luke O'Nien was injured while trying to defend the cross, and he looked devastated as he was forced off with a dislocated shoulder.
A lightning counter for the opener... and then nearly a second
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Campbell goal
Tyrese Campbell scores a lovely counter-attack to give Sheffield United a 1-0 lead over Sunderland.
A curious quirk for opening goals
In 2023 Luton took the lead in the 23rd minute. In 2024, Southampton took the lead in the 24th minute. Now, in 2025, Sheffield United scored in the 25th minute. Mark your cards for next year.
Just as Sunderland really attacked for the first time they found themselves exposed and then behind. Gus Hamer was the architect as his wonderful charge on the counter-attack saw him tee up Campbell, who dinked over the onrushing Patterson.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Sheff Utd no goal
Sheffield United's Harrison Burrows has a goal chalked off for offside after VAR deemed that Vinicius Souza was impacting Sunderland 'keeper Anthony Patterson's view.
And shortly after it looked like United had doubled their advantage, Harrison Burrows firing in after a corner landed at his feet 20 yards from goal. But it was, rightly, ruled out by VAR for offside - with Vini Souza in a position where he was obstructing Patterson's ability to dive for the ball.
Changes made and momentum swings to Sunderland
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Mayenda goal v SHU
Eliezer Mayenda finishes in fine style as Sunderland Cats finally conjure something in the Championship play-off final to equalise against Sheffield United.
Sunderland didn't create a huge amount, but one breakthrough on 76 minutes saw them level things up.
Substitute Patrick Roberts was the creator, with his scything pass finding the run of Mayenda, who showed all the coolness in the world to lash one past the helpless Michael Cooper. An astonishingly calm and powerful finish in the circumstances.
And then the winner. One tired, misplaced pass by Moore allowed Watson possession and space to drive, and he found the bottom corner with what turned out to be his last significant touch of a ball in a Sunderland shirt.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Watson v Sheff Utd
Sunderland's Tom Watson scores in stoppage-time to send them to the Premier League as they defeat Sheffield United 2-1 in the Championship play-off final.
Sky Sports to show 215 live PL games next season
Watch more Premier League matches on Sky Sports ever before with 215 games live of the 2025/26 Premier League season.
From next season, Sky Sports' Premier League coverage will increase from 128 matches to at least 215 games exclusively live.
And 80 per cent of all televised Premier League games next season are on Sky Sports.