Sunderland are heading back to the Premier League for the first time since 2017, as they came from behind to dramatically beat Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.
Tom Watson’s incredibly calm strike in the 95th minute sent the Black Cats supporters behind the goal into a frenzy, after Eliezer Mayenda had equalised earlier in the second half.
However, it could have all been so different in the capital as Sheffield United looked to end their play-off hoodoo, with Tyrese Campbell opening the scoring in spectacular fashion after just 25 minutes. The Blades countered excellently from a Sunderland corner, with Gustavo Hamer neatly finding his teammate – who finished with aplomb.
Harrison Burrows thought that he had doubled his team’s lead just before the break, as he smashed home from distance, but the goal was ruled out for offside by VAR and many Sheffield United supporters were incredibly angry with the decision.
Mark Clattenburg backs VAR after huge Championship play-off final moment
Burrows’ strike was originally awarded as a goal by Chris Kavanagh, but on review, Vinicius Souza was adjudged to have interfered with play and denied Anthony Patterson a clear attempt at stopping the shot.
Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images
Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images
It was a moment that changed the game completely, as the Blades’ lead stayed at one, allowing Sunderland the opportunity to come back into the game after a disappointing first-half.
We asked Mark Clattenburg about the decision to rule out Harrison Burrows’ first-half strike, and he exclusively told us: “The decision to disallow Sheffield United a second goal is a correct one and that is why people in the Championship are asking for VAR as without it, today would have resulted in an incorrect goal being awarded.
“Souza was in an offside position near to Sunderland goalkeeper Patterson when Burrows strikes the ball towards goal. There is no issue with line of vision as many players are blocking Patterson’s line of vision but at the last moment, Souza goes across the goalkeeper and therefore affects his ability to play the ball.”
Clattenburg concluded: “The correct decision was made but the debate will rage on why VAR is not used all season instead only in the play off final.”
Chris Wilder will rue the use of VAR in the final
While it was well known that VAR was going to be used in the Championship play-off final, its lack of use over the course of the other 556 games that were played in the league this season is controversial.
However, because of the financial benefits at stake, correct decisions had to be made and without the use of the technology on Saturday, it may be Sheffield United lining up in the Premier League in 2025/26 instead of Sunderland.
Kavanagh had a strong game, and while VAR was needed to rule out Burrows’ goal, neither manager can be too disheartened at the way the clash was officiated.
For the Black Cats, they will have to get used to their saviour in the top flight, as their fans can finally look forward to being back in the big time.