Sheffield United vs Sunderland LIVE: Black Cats snatch 95th-minute winner to seal Premier League return

Sheffield United 1-2 Sunderland: The Black Cats staged the late show once again in the play-offs to return to the top-flight

(Getty Images)

Tom Watson fired in the greatest parting gift Sunderland could ask for as his 95th-minute play-off final winner sealed the Black Cats’ return to the Premier League.

Sunderland snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, having been roundly dominated by Sheffield United for much of the contest. The Blades took a deserving first-half lead through Tyrese Campbell before seeing a second chalked off for offside.

But after Eliezer Mayenda blasted home a crucial equaliser 14 minutes from time, Brighton-bound Watson slotted home a perfectly-placed effort in stoppage time to send Sunderland into bedlam and deliver promotion on Wearside.

Follow all of the latest from the Championship play-off final with our live blog below:

Sheffield United vs Sunderland LIVE

• Sunderland seal Premier League return in last-gasp win over Sheffield United
• 25' GOAL! Campbell finishes off lightning counter inspired by Hamer [SHU 1-0 SUN]
• 37' NO GOAL! Sunderland handed lifeline as Burrows strike chalked off [SHU 1-0 SUN]
• 75' GOAL! Mayenda finds precious equaliser for Black Cats [SHU 1-1 SUN]
• 90+5' GOAL! Watson finish takes Sunderland in touching distance of the Premier League [SHU 1-2 SUN]

[24 May 2025 16:59 · Will Castle]

Sheffield United 1-1 Sunderland

90+3 mins: Ahmedhodzic getting properly looked over here by the medical team. He may not be able to continue.

[24 May 2025 16:57 · Will Castle]

Sheffield United 1-1 Sunderland

90+1 mins: Three players go down following a clash of heads.

SEVEN minutes added on.

[24 May 2025 16:56 · Will Castle]

Sheffield United 1-1 Sunderland

89 mins: Brereton-Diaz only just came on, but he’s heading down the tunnel as Cannon enters the fray.

Davies also on for Peck for the Blades.

[24 May 2025 16:53 · Will Castle]

Sheffield United 1-1 Sunderland

87 mins: Have it. That was a proper challenge by Hume. It’s left Brereton-Diaz in a heap but he got all the ball as he slid in emphatically.

[24 May 2025 16:51 · Will Castle]

Sheffield United 1-1 Sunderland

85 mins: Roberts pulled back by Brereton-Diaz, who ends up in the book.

A tactical foul and a chance for Sunderland to deliver.

[24 May 2025 16:49 · Will Castle]

Sheffield United 1-1 Sunderland

82 mins: Sheffield United get out from under Sunderland as Brooks lofts an inviting cross towards Brereton-Diaz, cut out by a white shirt.

A chance to breathe for the team for much of this game have been in total control.

[24 May 2025 16:47 · Will Castle]

Sheffield United 1-1 Sunderland

80 mins: Goals change games and Sunderland are playing with their tails up.

Patrick Roberts makes Burrows’ life difficult and robs him on the edge of the box, but the whistle goals as the ball goes flat!

[24 May 2025 16:45 · Richard Jolly at Wembley]

'The volume is all coming from the Sunderland fans'

Great finish by Mayenda and now the volume is all coming from the Sunderland fans. In a game of two halves, their team have only turned up for one. And yet they may be favourites now.

[24 May 2025 16:42 · Will Castle]

GOAL! Sheffield United 1-1 Sunderland (Mayenda, 75')

FINALLY, SUNDERLAND PULL IT TOGETHER!

Out of nothing, the Black Cats pull together their best move. Mayenda strays wide and is slipped through by Roberts, before blasting into the roof of the net.

It’s bedlam in the Sunderland end. O’Nien, in a sling, is involved in the celebrations. Sunderland are level!

[24 May 2025 16:40 · Will Castle]

'Hamer sets his side up for promotion'

Off goes Gustavo Hamer, named the Championship's player of the year, but not yet sure if he will be in the Championship next season or if he has set up the goal that takes Sheffield United back to the Premier League. Chris Wilder's January business means United have been able to bring on plenty of fresh legs in their front four.