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
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 1-0 Sunderland
72 mins: Hamer’s play-off final is over as the Dutchman limps off. Brereton-Diaz is on.
A blow for the Blades, who haven’t yet got this in the bag and will now be without their star man.
Watson and top-scorer Isidor are sent on to try to turn this around for the Black Cats. Skipper Neil and Mundle are off.
Sheffield United 1-0 Sunderland
70 mins: CHANCE! Cirkin, you are one lucky boy.
With the ball bouncing in behind, he gets it completely wrong as Brooks pounces on the ball inside the area. He fires towards the bottom corner but Patterson saves with his feet.
Sheffield United 1-0 Sunderland
68 mins: Low Sunderland corner doesn’t beat the first man, and Patrick Roberts’ looping over-the-head effort from outside the area lands on the roof of the net.
After play restarts, Mundle goes in the book for a mistimed challenge.
Sheffield United 1-0 Sunderland
65 mins: Changes for Sheffield United.
Goalscorer Campbell comes off for O’Hare, who was unlucky to miss out on the starting XI today.
Brooks also enters the fray in place of Brewster.
Sheffield United 1-0 Sunderland
63 mins: Sheffield United are just ticking the ball around their back line and are making Sunderland tire themselves out.
Even when they lose possession, their desire to win possession and then move up the field is top tier.
Sheffield United 1-0 Sunderland
61 mins: Sheffield United are not having as much of the ball, but they still look the more dangerous side.
Peck tries slipping Campbell into the box, Mepham gets his challenge right.
Sheffield United 1-0 Sunderland
58 mins: Activity on the Sunderland bench as Patrick Roberts enters the fray for Chris Rigg.
The Black Cats have looked much better but are still yet to properly test Cooper in net.
Sheffield United 1-0 Sunderland
54 mins: Sunderland have to be wary of the break - it’s how they conceded, of course.
Sheffield United spring a counter as the ball ends up with Brewster on the edge of the box, but a strong challenge in the area deals with the danger. All ball.
'Sunderland have made the brighter start'
Sunderland were rather toothless in the first half but there was a sighting of a man who was prolific for them at half-time. Though admittedly that was Jermain Defoe in the media lounge. Apparently Niall Quinn and Kevin Phillips are also here.
If Sunderland could do with any today, the current striker, Eliezer Mayenda, hasn't had enough service. At least Sunderland have made a brighter start to the second half.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments