Sunderland have been promoted back to the Premier League thanks to a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Sheffield United.
Tyrese Campbell opened the scoring for the Blades in the 25th minute with a composed chip that followed a swift counter-attack.
Sunderland equalised when Eliezer Mayenda fired into the roof of the net on 76 minutes to set up a nervy finish.
And Tom Watson emerged as their hero at Wembley by scoring with a low finish in the fifth minute of second half stoppage-time.
It proved to be the perfect send-off for the 19-year-old with the winger to link up with Brighton in the summer. It’s been eight years since Sunderland were last in the Premier League after their relegation at the end of the 2016/17 season.
Regis Le Bris the manager of Sunderland kisses the EFL Sky Bet Championship Final trophy during the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final match between Sheffield United and Sunderland at Wembley Stadium on May 24, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
And after dropping to League One, they have finally returned to the English top-flight where they will be reunited with rivals Newcastle for the 2025/26 campaign.
Sunderland join Leeds United and Burnley as the promoted sides.
Sheffield United finished 14 points ahead of the play-off final winners in the regular Championship season table.
This is the biggest points difference between two English Football League play-off finalists in the current format since the 1988/89 term. The Blades have also extended their winless run at Wembley after yet another defeat at the iconic stadium.
Sheffield United’s last win at the venue came in the 1925 FA Cup final against Cardiff City. Saturday’s result is their seventh consecutive defeat at Wembley in all competitions.
