82,718 watched on as 19 year old Tom Watson sent the Black Cats back into the Premier League, a league they hadn’t been in since 2017.

Kieffer Moore gave the ball away and Watson picked it up before placing the ball beyond Michael Cooper from the edge of the area – a superb finish.

Tom Watson has put Sunderland in the lead in the 95th minute of the Play-off Final 💥😱 pic.twitter.com/E7gm18kknC

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 24, 2025

It was an quick and nervy start, just a minute in, Anthony Patterson was rushed by Tyrese Campbell deep inside his own box but just managed to scramble the ball away.

Then Patterson was called into action with an incredible save diving low to his right to claw a downward header from Kieffer Moore from Gus Hamer’s cross from the left off his line.

Just as that happened, Luke O’Nien went down on the deck, had some treatment after getting a blow in the lead-up to Kieffer Moore’s header, then was subbed off, Chris Mepham replacing him.

So gutting for Luke O’Nien. He was desperate to want to stay on – looks like a dislocated shoulder which the doctor set right on the pitch.

Of course, being who he is, he uses his uninjured arm to gee up the Sunderland fans as he’s taken off. #safc #EFLPlayOffs pic.twitter.com/LYbl5aV2gs

— Sanny Rudravajhala (@Sanny_Rudra) May 24, 2025

A minutes applause was held for Lib Hume, who died at the age of just 22 to a rare form of cancer just days before the final.

Then Sheffield United went 1-0 up, a short corner was headed away, it came to Hamer who went on the counter, sent a pass which went through a couple of Sunderland defenders and Campbell was on hand to dink it over Patterson to send the Blades wild.

Sheffield United thought they went 2-0 up on 34 minutes. It looked as they it was another Wembley goal for Harrison Burrows.

Gus Hamer’s corner from the left was half-cleared by the Sunderland defence with Burrows hitting one from 20 yards out, the ball made its way through a crowd of players, on Anthony Patterson’s left, but he ruled the keeper was impacted, referee Chris Kavanagh announced to the crowd of the decision with Vini Souza moving across Patterson from an offside position and though he doesn’t touch the ball, there was enough of an impact for the goal to be chalked-off.

Sunderland came out in the second half showing a glimpse of giving something back with a little bit of pressure, much more tempo and an eagerness to get things moving.

There was a slight scare with Sheffield United on the counter attack 54 minutes in. Kieffer Moore cut inside but lost the ball before shooting – then Rhian Brewster saw his shot blocked.

Patrick Roberts came on for Chris Rigg on 60 minutes.

A first card of the game was handed out to Rhian Brewster for clumsily tripping Romaine Mundle from behind.

Sunderland continued to have much of the possession midway through the second half – their approach being the opposite of their semi-final against Coventry, but the Blades were happy enough to play on the break and sit back when needed.

Subs for Sheffield United on 65 minutes with Callum O’Hare and Andre Brooks on, Rhian Brewster and goalscorer Tyrese Campbell off.

68 minutes and it was a yellow card for Mundle for a mis-timed tackle in midfield on Souza.

After Dennis Cirkin made a mess of things, trying to deliver a long ball, but it lacks enough power to reach his teammates, was intercepted with Andre Brooks nipping in but out came Patterson to make a fine block with his legs.

Sunderland produce a moment of magic out of nowhere on 76 minutes. Eliezer Mayenda levelling the scoreline, a good first touch, and an even better second after Patrick Roberts sent a brilliant defence splitting pass to Eliezer Mayenda who hammered his shot into the roof of the net for his 10th goal of the campaign, and only Sunderland’s second shot on target in the game.

Momentum shifted, Sheffield United shellshocked, Sunderland looked more likely to score next heading into the final 10 minutes.

In the 95th minute, Tom Watson, Brighton bound after this, made the most of a poor layoff from Kieffer Moore in the centre circle to run towards the United box and roll a pass-like shot into the bottom corner.

Cirkin was also booked for a mis-timed tackle.

“I think my celebration say it all. Just look around, it’s unbelievable.

“We’ll see each other in the Premier League next year.

“I’ve been thinking about it for weeks. My story was written when I came off the bench.

“I couldn’t have pictured it any better.”