24
May
May
SUNDERLAND PROMOTED TO PREMIER LEAGUE WITH DRAMATIC WIN OVER SHEFFIELD UNITED
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CapitalTimesNews / 2 weeks
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- 2 min read
Sunderland has been promoted to the Premier League after a dramatic 2-1 win over Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final at Wembley Stadium. Teenager Tom Watson scored a 95th-minute winner, curling a low effort past Michael Cooper to secure the Black Cats’ return to the top flight for the first time in eight years. The 19-year-old, who is joining Brighton and Hove Albion next season, sealed the win with his decisive goal, which sent the Sunderland fans into raptures. Earlier, Tyrese Campbell had given Sheffield United a deserved first-half lead, but Eliezer Mayenda’s fine goal on 76 minutes equalized for Sunderland. The Blades had been reduced to 10 men temporarily after defender Anel Ahmedhodzic went off with a head injury, and Sunderland took advantage of the extra space to score the winning goal. Watson’s goal capped a remarkable season for Sunderland, who were predicted to finish mid-table but have now earned promotion to the Premier League under the guidance of head coach Regis Le Bris. The win marks a glorious rise for Sunderland, who finished 16th last season and appointed Le Bris as their head coach. The team’s young and inexperienced squad has defied expectations to earn promotion, with Luke O’Nien being the only player over 25 in the starting XI. Sheffield United, on the other hand, had a disappointing end to a season that had seen them battle against relegation from the Premier League and then mount a strong challenge for automatic promotion. Despite reaching 90 points, they fell short of earning promotion through the play-offs, extending their hoodoo at Wembley Stadium.