Wembley, London (UK):- After an eight-year absence, Sunderland AFC secured a dramatic return to the Premier League, defeating Sheffield United 2-1 in the Championship play-off final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, May 24, 2025.
The victory, sealed by a stoppage-time goal from 19-year-old academy graduate Tommy Watson, marked a significant milestone in the club’s storied history.
The decisive match began with Sheffield United taking the lead through Tyrese Campbell in the 25th minute. But it was Sunderland who equalized in the 76th minute when Eliezer Mayenda found the net, setting the stage for a tense finale.
In the dying moments of stoppage time, Watson, who is set to join Brighton this summer, scored the decisive goal, ensuring Sunderland’s promotion to the top flight for the first time since the 2016–17 season.
The promotion to the Premier League is expected to bring substantial financial benefits to the Black Cats. Estimates suggest an increase in revenue of up to £220 million over the next five years, provided the club maintains its Premier League status.
This influx of funds will be instrumental in strengthening the squad and ensuring competitiveness at the highest level.
Since that relegation in 2017, the Black Cats even suffered a four-season-long stint in League One, an ignominy depicted in the popular Netflix show “Sunderland ‘Til I Die.”
They eventually won promotion back to the Championship in 2022 and three years later, they now join Leeds United and Burnley as three championship sides promoted to the Premier League for the coming 2025/26 season.
Sunderland’s return to the Premier League not only revives the historic Tyne–Wear derby against Newcastle United but also signals a new era for the club. With a blend of youthful talent and strategic leadership, the Black Cats are poised to make a significant impact in the top tier of English football.
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