Sunderland end eight-year wait to return to Premier League with dramatic Championship play-off win

Sunderland have ended their eight-year wait to return to the Premier League after beating Sheffield United 2-1 with an injury-time winner in the Championship play-off final.

The dramatic winning goal came in the fifth minute of added time from 19-year-old Tom Watson, who rolled the ball past United keeper Kieffer Moore and gave Sunderland the ultimate parting gift before he joins Brighton next season.

Watson, who came on as a substitute, ripped off his shirt and slid toward the celebrating fans on his knees, telling Sky Sports after the game that his "celebration said it all".

Watson added: "Just look around, it's unbelievable. We'll see each other in the Premier League next year in the big time.

"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."

His winning goal to make it 2-1 came after Sheffield United initially led 1-0 due to Tyrese Campbell's goal 25 minutes into the first half.

The goal was the result of a short corner going wrong for Sunderland, with the ball being headed away by Sheffield's defence.

Sheffield's Gustavo Hamer sprinted up the pitch and threaded a pass into the middle to Campbell, who lobbed the ball over the goalie and into the net.

The Blades nearly extended their lead ten minutes later, when Harrison Burrows shot through a crowd of bodies and into the bottom corner, but the goal was disallowed as the VAR ruled that United's Vinicius Souza was impacting the view of Sunderland keeper Anthony Patterson.

Eliezer Mayenda finally managed the equaliser for Sunderland to even the score in the 76th minute, leaving Sheffield players down on the ground punching the floor.

Watson then scored in injury time to secure Sunderland's victory and promotion to the Premier League.

Sunderland had 64% possession in the first half, but only landed one of a total of two shots on target, while Sheffield managed double, with both shots landing in the net.

In the second half, Sunderland also dominated in possession, and while the team only had two more shots on target, both resulted in a goal. Sheffield United hit the target twice, but didn't manage to take back the lead.

Sunderland's Luke O'Nien, who had to watch from the sidelines after dislocating his shoulder during the game, joked that he "covered more distance celebrating".

He told Sky Sports after the game that he "never had anxiety like it", but that he was "so proud of these boys".

(c) Sky News 2025: Sunderland end eight-year wait to return to Premier League with dramatic Championship play-