It took 48 years and seven defeats, but Sunderland finally broke their Wembley curse - and set the club up for a revival.
Head coach Lee Johnson bagged the Papa John's Trophy and ordered a double, with promotion from League One the next aim.
US international Lynden Gooch was the history maker with the game's only goal, giving 23 year old new Swiss owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus a cup just 25 days after buying the club.
Any victory at Wembley matters. It may “only” be the EFL trophy but points the direction for a club on the up again. It builds momentum.
Johnson said: “I feel amazing. Proud of everyone. You can feel the power and velocity of the club. If we can all align, fans, owner, players and staff this is a step on the ladder building.
“I know the heartache the fans have had. I am pleased to give something back to them. I know about the defeats and the time and money they have invested in supporting us. I know the ribbing from other clubs they've had.
“This is hopefully the start of that journey to look after them.”
Since their famous FA Cup win in 1973 it'd been nothing but hurt. The 1-0 Milk Cup final against Norwich in 1985, the 1990 one goal defeat to Swindon in 1990.
Beaten by Liverpool, in the FA Cup final in 1992. The pain of the penalty shootout loss to Charlton in 1998 after a 4-4 draw. Boss Gus Poyet's charge to the Capital One Cup final in 2014, and an inevitable 3-1 loss to Manchester City.
Trafalgar Square pre-game parties were held twice in 2019. But losses to Portsmouth in the Checkatrade Trophy, on penalties, and to Charlton in the League One play off final.
Great fans, but typical Sunderland. Misery engrained. Until Lynden Gooch struck in the 58 th minute.
Aiden McGeady took charge of creativity after the break and picked out a wonderful angled pass to send the American through on goal to finish off a spirited Tranmere who played good football.
Johnson added: “When the whistle went my first feeling was gratitude, to have the opportunity at this club. History is important for this club and we made a little bit today.”
Few neutral would begrudge Sunderland silverware. Johnson is the 12 th manager in the last decade. Kyril Louis-Dreyfus the third owner in three years.
The club was £200m in debt when it plunged out of the Premier League, straight through the Championship and into League One, racking up consecutive club record low league finishes.
Johnson has injected some modern coaching thinking. He is hands on, talks of changing the culture and did so with this victory.
For instance the physio room is often the centre of club banter, and players having a moan. Physios are told not to sympathise with a disgruntled player but instead empathise, reinforcing that the manager likes them and they have a future.
Striker Charlie Wyke has 26 goals this season after getting the “gremlins out of his head.” Johnson says he's used “visualisation” to improve his finishing, worked on “double and triple” movements in the box and on his footwork. “Meaningful practice” at all times replicating games, says Johnson.
Even the goal for Gooch was planned for. "We thought that ball could spring them," added Johnson.
The arrival of £2bn heir Louis-Dreyfus, is also a boost, not only financially. His late dad owned Marseille, he has a Havard MBA, studied in Leeds and has moved to the North East. People talk of his “commitment, acumen and integrity.”
He's got a bargain if he can negotiate promotion to the Championship this season and secure a more solid platform to rebuild for a Premier League challenge.
