Sunderland ended their eight-year stint without Premier League football at Wembley against Sheffield United in the play-off final with local lad Tommy Watson securing the winner.
There have been 49 matches in the Championship season for each but Sheffield United and Sunderland went to battle at Wembley, with the Blades making the early chances in the game.
They took the lead through Tyrese Campbell’s goal but it wasn’t enough after they wasted chance after chance and Sunderland fought back via Eliezer Mayenda on 76 minutes. However, Brighton-bound Tommy Watson scored again to spark jubilant scenes.
The 19-year-old was among the best Sunderland players. However, Sunderland fans weren’t keen on Watson not long ago after struggling for form after the £10 million switch to Brighton in April was confirmed.
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
For Regis Le Bris to execute his game plan and overcome the Yorkshire giants, pace is required in wide areas, but Sunderland’s mindset may be the key above all else. In the end, it was a mixture of resolute defending and Watson’s speed and sharp finishing.
Ali Maxwell of NTT20 backed Sunderland to win 2-1 and they did, with other famous faces such as Roy Keane also wishing Sunderland luck. They also secured a reported roughly £240 million play-off prize fund by claiming victory.
Sky Sports’ commentary team spoke of an incredible moment with Watson’s final touch as a Sunderland player in the 95th minute. It was also his first goal since a brace against Stoke City in early December; what a time to do it.
Don Goodman said: And look, Tommy Watson has had some stick from the Sunderland fans, but, I’ll tell you what, if that is his parting gift? They will forgive him for eternity.
“And what a finish. He’s just allowed to advance. It’s Hamza Choudhury who’s a little bit too tired. They don’t get out to him, they don’t close him down, and they pay the price.”
Andy Hinchcliffe added: “You give the ball away — that’s one thing, but the opposition have to capitalise. Tommy Watson here uses Vini Souza as like a screen. And he just passes the ball at pace into the bottom corner.
“I just think the awareness — how he needs to finish that chance. Normally, a much more mature player would know what to do. But he’s so young. Again, he just makes his mind up so quickly.
“He uses Vini Souza as a screen but the accuracy of the strike as well. It’s just perfect. What a turnaround. They didn’t score until the 76th minute Sunderland.”
David Prutton said: “A £220 million final touch from Tom Watson. That is some parting gift from Tom Watson as they climb back into the Premier League.”
Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images
Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images
Tommy Watson reacts to winning play-off final goal
Nick Barnes of BBC Newcastle also commentated on the game and he added: “What a finish! Who can believe it? Brighton-bound Tommy Watson might have just put Sunderland in the Premier League!”
But it was Watson’s moment to live as a Sunderland fan. The 19-year-old told Sky Sports: “I can’t really put it into words… it’s unbelievable.
“We’ll see each other next year in the Premier League, in the big time.”
He said he had 100% been imagining a contribution like this, adding: “I’ve been thinking about this for weeks, I think it was written, I couldn’t have pictured it any better.
“I got closed down, saw a little gap and just used him (to curl into the corner).”