Sheffield United’s dream of an instant return to the Premier League was denied by Sunderland on Saturday afternoon, as the Black Cats ran out 2-1 winners in the Championship play-off final.
Blades supporters suffered more play-off heartbreak at Wembley, despite taking the lead in the first-half through a stunning counter-attack.
Tyrese Campbell capped off a terrific first season at Bramall Lane with the opening strike, as he combined excellently with Gustavo Hamer to hand the South Yorkshire outfit a deserved 1-0 advantage heading into the break.
However, it could have been so much more for Sheffield United, as VAR denied them a second before half-time, and with Sunderland going on to take victory, Ian Holloway has lashed out at the decision to use the technology in the game.
Ian Holloway fumes after Sheffield United were denied a second goal against Sunderland
Harrison Burrows looked to have put the Blades 2-0 up in the first-half, with his strike from distance beating Anthony Patterson and finding its way into the back of the net.
Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images
Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images
While the goal was given at the time, VAR intervened and adjudged Vinicius Souza to be interfering with play by denying the Sunderland goalkeeper a clear view as the ball came towards him.
However, this was the first time all season that VAR had been used in the Championship, and Swindon Town boss Ian Holloway was not happy with the decision to use it. He said on TalkSport: “They will be devastated and the truth is we’ve had VAR today, it’s denied them a goal today.
“We’re not used to it in the Championship, we don’t have it.”
Sunderland fans will be singing VAR’s praises
Sheffield United heartbreak ensured Sunderland delight at Wembley, and they were able to find a way back into the game at Wembley with the score still at 1-0.
Eliezer Mayenda made his mark on the final in superb fashion, and from there, the Black Cats took the initiative with the Blades’ defence becoming a lot busier than it had been in the run-up to the equaliser.
Tommy Watson’s incredible 95th minute winner sealed a historic victory for Sunderland, but had it not been for VAR, Regis Le Bris may be facing a second year in the Championship with the Wearsiders and Sheffield United will have to lick their wounds and go again.
The technology was put in place to get the big decisions correct on the day, with the play-off prize fund so large, but the controversy of that decision will live long in the memory for Chris Wilder.