· 24 May 2025, 17:29
**Sheffield United need to take a long, hard look at themselves this evening after failing to secure promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs and handing it to Sunderland!**
From the first whistle at Wembley this afternoon, it only ever looked like it would be a Sheffield United win. Keiffer Moore had a header superbly saved by Anthony Patterson in the opening minute and a few moments later, Sunderland lost one of their most influential players in Luke O'Nien through a dislocated shoulder.
The Blades took the lead after 25 minutes and had the ball in the back of the net again a few minutes later, only for VAR to chalk it off for offside.
It didn't really matter though as Sunderland were absolutely abysmal ... until they weren't!
> [](https://twitter.com/premierleague/status/1926311986775642406)
Sunderland need to build a statue of Anthony Patterson
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Things turned in the second half when Elizer Mayenda equalised not long after Patterson saved their arses again at the other end. Mayenda's goal woke Sunderland up and then it seemed inevitable that they were going to clinch promotion.
We were braced for extra time, but once again, Sunderland found a last-minute goal to book their return to the top flight.
Sheffield United have only got themselves to blame for not taking their chances when they had them, but honestly, watching this game play out, my Dad summed it up perfectly when he said, "It doesn't matter who wins, we've got nowt to worry about next season."
Six points for the Toon next season
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Unless PSR gets scrapped entirely and Sunderland have another takeover, there is no way they can buy enough players to survive next season, and Derby fans must be rubbing their hands together expecting that unwanted record of the lowest ever points tally in the Premier League to finally be wiped off.
I don't think this is just bitter rivalry talking either. Sunderland look positively second-class as they are, and that team, for all their spirit, will get mauled next season in the Premier League.
Still, though, derby days are back, and it's time to show just how big the gulf in class really is these days by taking six easy points off them next season.
Man, this had better not come back to haunt me!