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 vs Sunderland LIVE
- Sunderland seal Premier League return in last-gasp win over Sheffield United
- 25' GOAL! Campbell finishes off lightning counter inspired by Hamer [SHU 1-0 SUN]
- 37' NO GOAL! Sunderland handed lifeline as Burrows strike chalked off [SHU 1-0 SUN]
- 75' GOAL! Mayenda finds precious equaliser for Black Cats [SHU 1-1 SUN]
- 90+5' GOAL! Watson finish takes Sunderland in touching distance of the Premier League [SHU 1-2 SUN]
O'Nien his usual self in celebration
17:50 , Will Castle"It's probably my best game since joining the club,” O’Nien said.
"I'm so proud of this club and these boys - I can't believe what's just happened.
"I've never felt anxiety like that - but the gaffer said if you get one goal who knows what can happen.
"Those boys, Tommy Watson - Sunderland legend. They're all Sunderland legends. I am just delighted to play a part in the happiness. What am I saying, I didn't play a part, I did nothing.
"I was just there on the side watching - I covered more ground celebrating when Eliezer and Tommy scored."
Watson's perfect final act before Brighton move
17:40 , Will Castle"I can’t really put it into words… it’s unbelievable,” Watson said.
"We’ll see each other next year in the Premier League, in the big time."
He said he had 100% been imagining a contribution like this, adding: "I’ve been thinking about this for weeks, I think it was written, I couldn’t have pictured it any better.
"I got closed down, saw a little gap and just used him (to curl into the corner)."
'A great comeback on the day, and over the last few seasons'
17:30 , Richard Jolly at WembleyThree years after leaving League One, Sunderland are in the Premier League. A great comeback on the day, and over the last few seasons.
Boyhood fan Neil lifts the trophy!
17:22 , Will CastleDan Neil, a boyhood Sunderland fan, lifts the play-off trophy, helped by the one healthy arm of Luke O’Nien!
The six-time champions of England are back in the top-flight!
Up the Wembley steps Sunderland go!
17:19 , Will CastleSunderland are back in the Premier League - and they’re heading up the famous Wembley steps to lift the trophy that signifies it.
Tommy Watson's 95th-minute winner seals Sunderland's Premier League return
17:15 , Will Castle
FULL-TIME! Sheffield United 1-2 Sunderland
17:08 , Will CastleSUNDERLAND ARE BACK IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE!
What drama. Sunderland looked out of this at half-time. They were being roundly dominated.
But after Eliezer Mayenda snatched an equaliser, the departing Tommy Watson came up with the goods to slot home a 95th-minute winner and send Sunderland back into the top-flight.
A £220m final touch for Watson. Some parting gift!
Sheffield United 1-2 Sunderland
17:08 , Will Castle90+12 mins: Sheffield United get it in the attacking half but just pass it out of play. That could be it.
Sheffield United 1-2 Sunderland
17:07 , Will Castle90+10 mins: Le Fee wins a free-kick and celebrates like he’s scored. They are so close.
'What a moment'
17:06 , Richard Jolly at WembleyWhat a moment for Tommy Watson. This is his last game for Sunderland before he joins Brighton. He could leave some legacy.
Sheffield United 1-2 Sunderland
17:06 , Will Castle90+9 mins: There is still time for more drama here. But this is looking like a magical afternoon for Sunderland. After 70 minutes, not many would have predicted that.
GOAL! Sheffield United 1-2 Sunderland (Watson, 90+5')
17:02 , Will CastleGOALLLLLLLLCVODJSANSDVJNAKDV! TOMMY WATSON MAY HAVE JUST SENT SUNDERLAND BACK TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE!
A superb finish from the youngster, capitalising on a Kieffer Moore gift. What a turnaround at Wembley!
Sheffield United 1-1 Sunderland
17:01 , Will Castle90+4 mins: We are back underway - reset your minds to 90 minutes for all intensive purposes...
Sheffield United 1-1 Sunderland
16:59 , Will Castle90+3 mins: Ahmedhodzic getting properly looked over here by the medical team. He may not be able to continue.
Sheffield United 1-1 Sunderland
16:57 , Will Castle90+1 mins: Three players go down following a clash of heads.
SEVEN minutes added on.
Sheffield United 1-1 Sunderland
16:56 , Will Castle89 mins: Brereton-Diaz only just came on, but he’s heading down the tunnel as Cannon enters the fray.
Davies also on for Peck for the Blades.
Sheffield United 1-1 Sunderland
16:53 , Will Castle87 mins: Have it. That was a proper challenge by Hume. It’s left Brereton-Diaz in a heap but he got all the ball as he slid in emphatically.
Sheffield United 1-1 Sunderland
16:51 , Will Castle85 mins: Roberts pulled back by Brereton-Diaz, who ends up in the book.
A tactical foul and a chance for Sunderland to deliver.
Sheffield United 1-1 Sunderland
16:49 , Will Castle82 mins: Sheffield United get out from under Sunderland as Brooks lofts an inviting cross towards Brereton-Diaz, cut out by a white shirt.
A chance to breathe for the team for much of this game have been in total control.
Sheffield United 1-1 Sunderland
16:47 , Will Castle80 mins: Goals change games and Sunderland are playing with their tails up.
Patrick Roberts makes Burrows’ life difficult and robs him on the edge of the box, but the whistle goals as the ball goes flat!
'The volume is all coming from the Sunderland fans'
16:45 , Richard Jolly at WembleyGreat finish by Mayenda and now the volume is all coming from the Sunderland fans. In a game of two halves, their team have only turned up for one. And yet they may be favourites now.
GOAL! Sheffield United 1-1 Sunderland (Mayenda, 75')
16:42 , Will CastleFINALLY, SUNDERLAND PULL IT TOGETHER!
Out of nothing, the Black Cats pull together their best move. Mayenda strays wide and is slipped through by Roberts, before blasting into the roof of the net.
It’s bedlam in the Sunderland end. O’Nien, in a sling, is involved in the celebrations. Sunderland are level!
'Hamer sets his side up for promotion'
16:40 , Will CastleOff goes Gustavo Hamer, named the Championship's player of the year, but not yet sure if he will be in the Championship next season or if he has set up the goal that takes Sheffield United back to the Premier League. Chris Wilder's January business means United have been able to bring on plenty of fresh legs in their front four.
Sheffield United 1-0 Sunderland
16:38 , Will Castle72 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
16:37 , Will Castle70 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
16:35 , Will Castle68 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
16:32 , Will Castle65 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
16:31 , Will Castle63 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
16:27 , Will Castle61 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
16:26 , Will Castle58 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
16:22 , Will Castle54 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'
16:20 , Richard Jolly at WembleySunderland 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.
Sheffield United 1-0 Sunderland
16:18 , Will Castle51 mins: Mundle moves inside and dances towards the edge of the box before getting a dinked cross all wrong, with it ballooning into the Sunderland fans.
Sheffield United 1-0 Sunderland
16:16 , Will Castle50 mins: Sunderland, playing at their own fans, have the bit between their teeth. So much more intent in these first five minutes than we saw in the entirety of the previous 45.
Sheffield United 1-0 Sunderland
16:14 , Will Castle48 mins: Wasted corner opportunity as Rigg puts his delivery behind the goal.
They’re trying to be inventive and have started this half in a slightly better vein than the first, actually playing it around the opposition box.
BACK UNDERWAY! Sheffield United 1-0 Sunderland
16:12 , Will CastleAnd we’re off again!
No team changes for Sunderland, which is surprising.
Here come the players...
16:11 , Will CastleSecond half about to get underway. Just one goal separates the sides, but Sunderland have a lot of work to do.
HALF-TIME! Sheffield United 1-0 Sunderland
16:05 , Will Castle
HALF-TIME! Sheffield United 1-0 Sunderland
16:03 , Will CastleLook what Campbell’s opener meant to Chris Wilder!
HALF-TIME! Sheffield United 1-0 Sunderland
15:56 , Will CastleThat’s all she wrote for the first half - and even at one goal, it currently looks a long way back for Sunderland.
After losing club veteran Luke O’Nien in the first five minutes due to a dislocated shoulder, they were hardly able to get a sniff at the Sheffield United goal.
They fell behind through a devastating Blades counter, with Gus Hamer inspiring a break brilliantly finished off by Tyrese Campbell.
Sheffield United thought they had a second when Harrison Burrows fired in on the half-volley - only for it to be chalked off for offside.
If it was two, a Sunderland recovery may have already been out of the question. But as things stand, there is still hope. A huge second half coming up.
Sheffield United 1-0 Sunderland
15:55 , Will Castle45+7 mins: VAR briefly check a handball against Sheffield United, giving Sunderland fans a glimmer of hope of a late first-half equaliser. It doesn’t appear to be in the box or touch the man’s arm. So that clears that one up.
Sheffield United 1-0 Sunderland
15:53 , Will Castle45+6 mins: Rigg fires a bouncing half-volley towards Cooper’s goal - no trouble for the keeper, who will be happy to just see some of the ball.
Sheffield United 1-0 Sunderland
15:52 , Will Castle45+5 mins: Mayenda tries doing it all himself but Vini Souza does brilliantly just to lean on him, not doing enough to foul but forces the forward to lose his balace.
Sheffield United 1-0 Sunderland
15:51 , Will Castle45+3 mins: Rhian Brewster defends a Sunderland corner well, but unlike 20 minutes earlier, it doesn’t lead to Sheffield United goal this time.
Sunderland retrieve it on halfway and have to build from the back.
Sheffield United 1-0 Sunderland
15:48 , Will Castle45+1 mins: EIGHT minutes added on.
A lot of that comes from Luke O’Nien’s treatment who is now back on the bench, grinning through the pain.
Sheffield United 1-0 Sunderland
15:47 , Will Castle44 mins: Mundle has been one of the few bright sparks for Sunderland so far. He gets it on the left again and makes strides into the centre, only to be crunched by Ahmedhodzic.
'Sunderland haven't offered much'
15:45 , Richard Jolly at WembleyIt was probably correct that Harrison Burrows' goal was chalked off, but it is a reprieve for Sunderland nonetheless. They haven't offered much in this first half.
Regis Le Bris opted to drop Patrick Roberts and Wilson Isidor and so far, neither decision has really been justified. Sheffield United have made all the running so far.
Sheffield United 1-0 Sunderland
15:43 , Will Castle40 mins: Could this be a catalyst for Sunderland? They’ve barely been in this play-off final - and if they conceded a second, it’s hard to have imagined them recovering.
But they’ve been handed a reprieve, and if they can get to half-time in this position, there will still be hope.
Le Bris’s side need to start playing either way.
NO GOAL! Sheffield United 1-0 Sunderland
15:40 , Will Castle37 mins: Chris Kavanagh comes to Sunderland’s rescue, with Souza in an offside position and blocking the sight of Patterson.
A huge lifeline.
GOAL! Sheffield United 2-0 Sunderland (Burrows, 35')
15:37 , Will CastleANOTHER GOAL AT WEMBLEY FOR BURROWS!
But will it stand - his half-volley from the edge of the box goes through the crowd into the bottom corner, but as he hits it, Souza is standing directly in front of Patterson.
The ref is off to the monitor...
Sheffield United 1-0 Sunderland
15:35 , Will Castle32 mins: Sunderland are messing up even the simplest of passes - they’re all going wayward.
One back to the keeper, under zero pressure, had Patterson running in circles to retrieve it.
Sheffield United 1-0 Sunderland
15:33 , Will Castle29 mins: Confirmation that Luke O’Nien suffered a dislocated shoulder - and that it has now been popped back in.
Sunderland are suffering all round at the moment.
'A popular scorer'
15:31 , Richard Jolly at WembleyDevastating counter-attack by Sheffield United, capped by a delightful, dinked finish. Tyrese Campbell will be a popular scorer far beyond their fanbase, given how popular his late father, Kevin, was at clubs such as Arsenal, Everton and West Brom.
GOAL! Sheffield United 1-0 Sunderland (Campbell, 25')
15:27 , Will CastleA LIGHTNING COUNTER ATTACK FROM THE BLADES!
It was a Sunderland corner, but Sheffield United break away and it’s Hamer, all alone, who shows incredible determination to get there first.
He then threads the needle to find Campbell, who dinks the keeper like it’s nothing.
Fully deserved from Sheffield United - but it came just as Sunderland looked to be getting a foothold.
Sheffield United 0-0 Sunderland
15:26 , Will Castle24 mins: Mayenda bursts into life to bring about Sunderland’s first real moment of promise, driving into the box before winning a corner.
Sheffield United 0-0 Sunderland
15:26 , Will Castle22 mins: The Sheffield United supporters breaking into applause as a tribute for Blades legend George Baldock.
Sheffield United 0-0 Sunderland
15:23 , Will Castle20 mins: Eight days ago in the FA Cup final, we watched Manchester City dominate for the first 15-or-so minutes, but fail to capitalise on early pressure by scoring. Of course, that detrimental as Crystal Palace went on to win 1-0.
Sunderland know it can’t continue like this. But they’ll take solace from the fact the final is still goalless and might be looking to Palace’s exploits from inspiration.
Sheffield United 0-0 Sunderland
15:20 , Will Castle17 mins: First time in the final third for Sunderland as Jobe drifts through the middle before putting it wide for Mundle, who wins a corner.
They showed they can be a threat from set-pieces against Coventry - but Cooper claims and tries to spark a counter.
Sheffield United 0-0 Sunderland
15:18 , Will Castle14 mins: Sunderland are showing real uncertainty when defending. Meanwhile, Sheffield United are winning every second ball and are playing with real confidence.
A deflected Rhian Brewster cross looked simple to clear, only for Mepham to slip - allowing the striker to retrieve and have a shot.
It’s blocked and Sunderland do clear.
Sheffield United 0-0 Sunderland
15:13 , Will Castle10 mins: Sunderland are finally seeing some of the ball.
So far it has been all Blades, with Hamer at the heart of their forward flurries.
'That was cruel for O'Nien'
15:12 , Richard Jolly at WembleyThat was cruel for Luke O'Nien, a veteran of over 300 games for Sunderland. This was the biggest but also - given that his participation in effect ended after about 75 seconds - one of the shortest. On comes Chris Mepham, who was sent off against United earlier this season.
Sheffield United 0-0 Sunderland
15:09 , Will Castle7 mins: Chris Mepham is coming on. A more than capable replacement, with 61 Premier League appearances under his belt.
But that is a major blow.
Sheffield United 0-0 Sunderland
15:08 , Will Castle4 mins: This has not been a good start for Sunderland - and it’s about to get worse.
O’Nien landed badly and looks to have seriously hurt his shoulder. He’s a tough cookie -but when he looks in pain, that usually tells you enough.
Sunderland are about to lose one of their biggest leaders inside the first five minutes. The magic pen is out, with agony etched on O’Nien’s face.
Sheffield United 0-0 Sunderland
15:05 , Will Castle2 mins: SAVE! SO NEARLY THE PERFECT START FOR THE BLADES!
Sunderland give it away again and Hamer whips in an early ball, latched onto by Moore. The Welshman nods towards the bottom corner and it looks destined to be an early opener, but Patterson gets down to produce a goal-saving save!
This has been a shaky start from the Black Cats.
Sheffield United 0-0 Sunderland
15:04 , Will Castle1 min: Sunderland keeper Patterson comes under immediate pressure from Campbell and just about manages to hoof it away before being blocked.
Nervy start.
KICK-OFF! Sheffield United 0-0 Sunderland
15:03 , Will CastleWE ARE UNDERWAY AT WEMBLEY!
'Every minute matters'
15:02 , Will CastleHere’s why kick-off is a minute later than usual - to raise awareness for the importance of learning CPR.
Vinnie Jones is heard over the tannoy as a timer ticks up to 60.
The campaign, which began during last season’s play-offs, is encouraging 360,000 people to use the British Heart Foundation’s online RevivR tool and to start learning CPR by the culmination of the football season with the play-off finals.
It has already surpassed its target of teaching 270,000 people - three times the capacity of Wembley Stadium - to learn CPR.
National anthem
14:58 , Will CastleTime for the national anthem sung by... did he say Gary Lineker?
Oh, Harry Linacre. I know he’s about to be out of a job but that would have been quite the career shift.
Closing in on kick-off!
14:54 , Will CastleWe are nearing kick-off at Wembley - a reminder that kick-off is at 3:01pm by design, raising awareness of heart issues and encourage people to learn CPR.
But in good time, the players are lining up in the tunnel and ready to hit the turf. Both sides are just a win away from Premier League promotion.
The Championship play-off final, UP NEXT!
The prize on the line
14:45 , Will CastleWhichever team lifts this will have won so much more than silverware...
Points gap will not play a factor in who gets promoted, says EFL pundit
14:37 , Will CastleThat’s the opinion of EFL pundit Don Goodman, who told FruityKing: "I can't see the points gap between Sheffield United and Sunderland being reflected in the play-off final at all.
"Sunderland have been in the top four all season and, despite having a terrible finish, they showed a level of consistency for two-thirds of the league season.
"It's tough to call. Most wouldn't have expected Sunderland to beat Coventry after enduring a horrendous end to the season. It will be a fascinating battle between two smart managers.
“I'd say Sheffield United are favourites but no one at Sunderland will be offended or bothered by that. Logic would tell you, though, that a team with 92 points will be promoted but the flip side to that argument is could it be written in the stars for Sunderland to be promoted after the way the tie went against Coventry?!"
"The richest game in football could be one of the louder ones"
14:35 , Richard Jolly at WembleySheffield United against Sunderland would have been a rather big game in 1925. It is in 2025, too. And if 1925 was when United last won at Wembley, the prize for victory - perhaps £200m - is rather bigger now.
The richest game in world football could also be one of the louder ones. Wembley was a sea of red and white on the way in.
Sheffield United go to Wembley as favourites
14:30 , Will CastleOver the course of the season, Sheffield United showed that they were one of the best sides in the division, perhaps unlucky to fall into third in a season in which two sides accumulated 100 points.
The Blades still managed to grab 90 points on the way to a third-place finish in the Championship, and with Sunderland next in fourth on 76 points, there was a clear gap between these two in the regular season.
In their two meetings this term, each side won at home and lost away, with the Blades winning 1-0 before Sunderland got revenge in the reverse fixture with a 2-1 victory two months later.
But Sunderland’s win over Coventry was just the Black Cats’ second in their last 10 matches, having last won against Millwall at the end of March.
To add to that, Le Bris’ side have just six goals over their last 10 matches. Sheffield United have won five of their last 10, scoring 16 goals in that time.
Sea of red and white
14:20 , Will CastleMight be a bit difficult to decipher which fans are in which end at first glance...
The richest game in football
14:14 , Will CastleTop-flight football is on the line this afternoon, along with all the riches that come with it.
A reminder that the winners of the Championship play-off final are set to receive a minimum of £220m in extra income, as is the privilege of playing in the Premier League.
Regis Le Bris focused on making sure Sunderland take their chance to step up
14:10 , Will CastleRegis Le Bris will not allow the prospect of Premier League riches to distract him as he attempts to guide Sunderland back into the big time.
The 49-year-old Frenchman, who arrived at the Stadium of Light last summer after suffering relegation from Ligue 1 with Lorient, stands on the brink of a promotion which some experts suggest could net his club up to £220million.
He said: “I know the details, but I can’t focus on it because my only focus is the game. After that, we’ll have consequences, positive or negative.
“It will be positive because even if we are not promoted at the end of the season, we can feel that the club is growing again and we have good signs for the future.”
Regis Le Bris focused on making sure Sunderland take their chance to step up
Line-ups CONFIRMED!
14:02 , Will CastleSheffield United XI: Cooper; Choudhury, Ahmedhodzic, Robinson, Burrows; Campbell, Peck, Souza, Hamer; Brewster, Moore.
Sunderland XI: Patterson; Hume, Ballard, O'Nien, Cirkin; Neil, Bellingham; Mundle, Le Fee, Rigg; Mayenda.
How the teams got to Wembley
13:46 , Will CastleHere’s a reminder of who Sheffield United and Sunderland had to beat in the semi-finals to reach Wembley, as well as how they fared in the regular Championship season:
Sheffield United - 3rd, 90 points
First leg: Bristol City 0-3 Sheffield United
Second leg: United 3-0 Bristol City (agg 6-0)
Sunderland - 4th, 76 points
First leg: Coventry 1-2 Sunderland
Second leg: Sunderland 1-1 Coventry (agg 3-2)
Blades boss hopes George Baldock is remembered ‘in an incredibly positive way’
13:30 , Will CastleSheffield United boss Chris Wilder wants to win promotion to the Premier League for the memory of former player George Baldock.
The right-back, who played 219 times in seven years for the Blades before being released at the end of last season, tragically died in October, aged 31.
“Every club has got their own stories,” Wilder said. “This is a story that’s not fabricated, it’s not false.
“This is somebody that was an incredibly popular player for the football club, who some of the players that are still with us played with and lived nine or 10 months of their lives with.
“These are all things that have happened to us, and I think the club and the players have handled it incredibly well and gone about it the right way. Remembering George, which is really important.
“It won’t be the be-all and end-all. It won’t be anybody’s fault if we don’t get the result we want and it won’t be the reason if we do get the result we want. But it’s just part of life. Unfortunately people lose their lives.
“There are sad stories to go with happy stories, but hopefully we can remember George, which we have done so far this season, in an incredibly positive way on Saturday afternoon.
“You’d have to ask the players what motivation it gives them. They’ll have their own motivation. But he’s with us. We’re proud of his contributions to our football club and incredibly sad he’s not with us.”
Blades boss hopes George Baldock is remembered ‘in an incredibly positive way’
Sheffield United's play-off hero
13:23 , Will CastleCallum O’Hare has been a surprise play-off hero for Sheffield United so far, scoring in both legs off the neck as the Blades secured two 3-0 wins in each leg of the semi-finals.
Though O’Hare only bagged two goals and two assists in the regular season, the Irishman seems to have found form at the right time, and could be in with a shout of starting at Wembley for Chris Wilder’s side.
Sunderland want to be remembered for more than Dan Ballard’s header – Dan Neil
13:15 , Will CastleSkipper Dan Neil does not want Dan Ballard’s winner which took Sunderland to Wembley to be the best memory of a season which could yet end with a return to the Premier League.
He said: “It feels a bit surreal we’ve been involved in one of those moments that will be talked about for a long time. It’s an unbelievable moment, but one thing we’ve all said is we’ve got to get the job done.
“We don’t want to just be remembered for Dan Ballard’s header, we want to be remembered for going all the way, getting back to the Premier League.”
Sunderland want to be remembered for more than Dan Ballard’s header – Dan Neil
Footballer suffered heart attack before scoring match winner to send team into play-offs
13:00 , Will CastleToday’s special kick-off time is made all the more pertinent by the fact AFC Wimbledon midfielder Sam Hutchinson unknowingly suffered heart attack just six minutes into the Dons’ League Two play-off semi-final victory last week.
He went on to play the full 90 minutes and ended up scoring the winning goal to book his side’s place at Wembley.
The 35-year-old veteran, whose career began at Chelsea, helped secure his team's play-off position with a 1-0 victory against Grimsby Town on May 2nd. Hutchinson's 53rd-minute goal proved decisive, but his post-match celebration was short-lived.
During the journey home from Blundell Park, Hutchinson's condition deteriorated, revealing the seriousness of his earlier discomfort. Subsequent medical examination confirmed he had suffered a heart attack during the match.
Hutchinson has since undergone surgery to insert a stent into a blocked artery and is now recovering.
Footballer suffered heart attack before scoring match winner
Why the Championship playoff final will kick off one minute late
12:45 , Will CastleThe three EFL play-off finals will all start a minute later than standard to raise awareness of CPR and Sky Bet and the British Heart Foundation’s ‘Every Minute Matters’ campaign.
The campaign, which began during last season’s play-offs, is encouraging 360,000 people to use the British Heart Foundation’s online RevivR tool and to start learning CPR by the culmination of the football season with the play-off finals.
It has already surpassed its target of teaching 270,000 people - three times the capacity of Wembley Stadium - to learn CPR.
The symbolic time of each kickoff aims to highlight how every minute matters when administering life-saving treatment.
Why the Championship playoff final will kick off one minute late
Odds for the play-off final
12:30 , Will CastleSheffield United to be promoted 4/6
Sunderland to be promoted 5/4
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Predicted line-ups
12:15 , Will CastleSheffield United XI: Cooper; Choudhury, Ahmedhodzic, Robinson, Burrows; O'Hare, Peck, De Souza Costa, Hamer; Cannon, Moore.
Sunderland XI: Patterson; Hume, Ballard, O'Nien, Cirkin; Roberts, Bellingham, Neil Le Fee; Mayenda, Isidor.
What is the early team news?
12:00 , Will CastleChris Wilder is not thought to have any fresh injury concerns, with Ollie Arblaster and Rhys Norrington-Davies longer-term Sheffield United absentees.
Sunderland, meanwhile, have been hoping that both Patrick Roberts and Romaine Mundle might be able to play a full part, with Regis Le Bris suggesting that the pair and others may have to play through the pain to target a spot in the Premier League.
Is Sheffield United v Sunderland on TV? How to watch Championship play-off final
11:45 , Will CastleSheffield United vs Sunderland is due to kick off at 3.01pm BST on Saturday 24 May at Wembley Stadium. The start time is a minute later than usual to raise awareness of heart issues and encourage people to learn CPR.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football, with coverage from 2pm BST. A live stream will be available via Sky Go.
Championship play-off final LIVE
11:30 , Will CastleGood morning and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of today’s Championship play-off final between Sheffield United and Sunderland!
Premier League promotion and all the royalties that come with it are on the line and Sunderland seek a top-flight return for the first time in eight years.
Sheffield United, meanwhile, are seeking to bounce straight back up after suffering relegation last term.
We’ll have all the build-up and action from Wembley, right here.
