Paddy Roberts delivered a game-changing cameo to help fire Sunderland back to the Premier League in the most dramatic fashion.
Soccer Football – Championship – Play-Off Final – Sheffield United v Sunderland – Wembley Stadium, London, Britain – May 24, 2025 Sunderland’s Eliezer Mayenda celebrates with Patrick Roberts after scoring their first goal REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
The former Celtic Invincible, who remains a favourite among Hoops supporters for his role in the Brendan Rodgers’ first era, came off the bench with his side trailing and made an instant impact. With Sunderland struggling to find any rhythm, Roberts brought composure and quality at a crucial moment.
His clever pass split the Sheffield United defence and set up Eliezer Mayenda to level the match with a classy finish on 76 minutes. From there, momentum shifted firmly in the Black Cats’ favour, and teenager Tommy Watson completed the comeback with a 95th-minute winner to send Wearside wild.
It’s a big moment in Roberts’ career. After leaving Celtic, where he lit up the Scottish Premiership during a dominant spell between 2016 and 2018, his journey across football, in England and abroad, has been stop-start. Stints at various clubs saw him drift from the spotlight, but his contribution under the Wembley arch showed there’s still plenty left in the tank.
Still only 28, Roberts has become a key figure for this young Sunderland side, offering experience and a touch of class when it’s needed most. While much of the attention will fall on Watson’s late strike and Sunderland’s remarkable rise under Regis Le Bris, it was Roberts’ introduction that changed the flow of the match.
There’s now hope he’ll get the chance to test himself again in the top flight – this time with a point to prove.
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