Sunderland staged a stunning fightback to secure promotion to the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, and now former striker Darren Bent has offered his verdict.
A thrilling campaign was marked with the perfect ending for Sunderland. After Regis Le Bris overachieved by guiding the Black Cats into the top six in his first season in charge, what followed in the Championship play-offs was breathtaking.
Dan Ballard’s 122nd-minute winner against Coventry City in the semi-final sparked jubilant scenes at the Stadium of Light, and then, after falling behind to Tyrese Campbell’s early goal in the final against Sheffield United, Sunderland produced one of the all-time comebacks to book their place in the Premier League.
Romaine Mundle equalised proceedings with a stunning strike after being assisted by Patrick Roberts before substitute Tommy Watson scored the winner in added time, caressing his finish past Michael Cooper.
It was the greatest parting gift Watson could have delivered to the Sunderland faithful before joining Brighton in the summer, with excitement building ahead of their top-flight return.
Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Darren Bent explains why Sunderland can survive in the Premier League
Remarkably, ahead of the play-off final, some Sheffield United fans didn’t want to get promoted after struggling previously.
In the last two campaigns, all three promoted teams have been instantly relegated back to the second tier, highlighting the gulf between the Championship and the Premier League.
Sunderland will know how difficult it will be to survive in the top flight, but even with all the investment needed in the summer transfer window, former striker Darren Bent believes the club has the resources and the passionate fanbase to stay up.
“Having Sunderland back in the Premier League, I know from being a player there, I know how much it means to these supporters, they are fantastic, they turn up in their thousands every week,” Bent said on talkSPORT.
“Every single week, even when we went through tough times, it’s cold, it’s wet it’s rainy filling up the Stadium of Light, having them back in the big time will pay dividends.
“Of course it’s going to be difficult, we know how difficult the gap is between the Premier League and the Championship but if we backed against a side and a club that has the resources and the fan power to do it, I think it would be Sunderland.”
Home form will be crucial to Premier League survival for Sunderland
Sunderland fans will pack out the Stadium of Light every week, and the Mackems can create a wall of noise that will make it difficult for visiting sides.
Position Team Matches Wins Draws Defeats Points PPG
1 Leeds Utd 23 18 4 1 58 2.52
2 Burnley 23 14 9 0 51 2.22
3 Sheffield Utd 23 15 4 4 49 2.13
4 Bristol City 23 13 7 3 46 2.00
5 Coventry City 23 14 3 6 45 1.96
6 Sunderland 23 12 7 4 43 1.87
In the Championship this season, Le Bris’ side had the sixth best home record, only losing four of their 23 matches.
Should they stand any chance of staying up, they have to turn their ground into a fortress, with their fans acting as the 12th man.