- Tommy Watson scored an injury-time winner as Sunderland beat the Blades 2-1
- It was he 19-year-old last match for the Black Cats ahead of joining Brighton
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Should Oliver Glasner leave Palace for Spurs?
Homegrown hero Tommy Watson couldn’t control his emotions after sending Sunderland into the Premier League on his final appearance for the club.
Nobody blamed the 19-year-old substitute – who is joining Brighton this summer – for swearing on live television after his 95th-minute winner ended The Black Cats eight-year exile from the top flight.
‘I can’t really put it into words to be honest. Look around, it’s f***ing unbelievable,’ he said as 40,000 Sunderland fans produced an ear-splitting noise at Wembley at the full-time whistle.
‘This story was written when I came off the bench. I’ve been thinking about it for weeks and couldn’t have pictured it any better – I think my celebration said it all.’
‘I got closed down and saw a little gap. I’ve just used the defender and straight in the bottom corner.’
Watson was born in the former mining village of Horden 12 miles south of Sunderland and ripped off his shirt in jubilation when his £220million goal hit the back of the net.
Tommy Watson couldn’t control his emotions after sending Sunderland to the Premier League
Watson’s 95th-minute winner ended The Black Cats eight-year exile from the top flight
It was the 19-year-old’s nal appearance for the club ahead of joining Brighton this summer
Ironically, his £10million move to the south coast means next season he will be playing against the team-mates he’s just helped win promotion.
‘We’ll see each other in the Premier League next year. In the big time,’ he added.
Former Mackems Peter Reid, Niall Quinn and Jordan Henderson were at Wembley to see Tyrese Campbell open the scoring for Sheffield United.
Referee Chris Kavanagh then ruled out a second Blades goal after being asked to check his monitor by VAR – Vini Souza judged to have interfered with goalkeeper Anthony Patterson from an offside position.
Eliezer Mayenda levelled for Sunderland after 75 minutes before Watson completed the comeback by pouncing on a loose touch from Sheffield striker Kiefer Moore.
Manager Regis Le Bris, whose side also beat Coventry in the semi-final with an injury-time winner from Dan Ballard, admitted: ‘It was a weird game. We didn’t start well, maybe we were a bit nervous.
‘The games represented the way we have played this season with resilience and discipline. We have talented players, so we can score.’
Beaten manager Chris Wilder questioned the use of VAR for the final having not been part of the regular Championship season.
Former Mackems Peter Reid, Niall Quinn and Jordan Henderson (pictured) were at Wembley
Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris admitted his side were ‘nervous’ having gone behind
‘I have been consistent Having played 46 league games and two play-off games, all of a sudden VAR comes into play. It is a subjective decision, and I don’t think their goalkeeper would have got anywhere near the shot.’ he said.
‘If we go 2-0 up, I think that really punctures them and we win the game comfortably. The play-offs final throws up these stories, a local lad on his way to Brighton scores the winner. It will take quite a bit of time to get over it but you have to put teams to bed.’
Sunderland have been the best-supported club in the EFL this season and their average home attendance of 40,000 is bettered by only eight Premier League teams.
Captain Dan Neil said: ‘This whole city has come together. That’s what Sunderland football club is – it resonates with all the people. It’s a powerful thing.
‘For it to end with a last-minute winner in the semi-final (against Coventry) and then today, it’s not even what dreams are made of because you wouldn’t dream of something like that.
Sheffield United have never gone through the nine play-offs they’ve participated in and their only victory at Wembley remains a hundred years ago when they won the FA Cup in 1925.
