Sunderland returns to the Premier League eight years after relegation. Tommy Watson, the man who was booed just a month ago, decided the play-off final. How are the English media reacting to this success?
Sunderland has completed a remarkable return to the Premier League, eight years after their relegation to the lower leagues.
In a dramatic and emotionally charged Championship play-off final at Wembley Stadium, the Black Cats defeated Sheffield United by 1–2, with the decisive goal coming deep into stoppage time and sending thousands of traveling fans into absolute euphoria. The victory not only secured promotion but also marked a turning point in the club’s recent history, one that had been filled with disappointment, instability, and years of painful rebuilding.
The match itself was intense from the first whistle. Sunderland began with energy and confidence, taking an early lead and signaling their intent to reclaim a place among England’s elite. Sheffield United, experienced and determined, fought back and equalized in the second half, putting pressure on the youthful Sunderland side. But it was in the 95th minute that the defining moment arrived a thunderous strike from 19-year-old Tommy Watson, who had been the subject of criticism and doubt just a few weeks earlier. His long-range effort found the top corner and sealed the win, sparking wild celebrations among players, staff, and supporters who had made the journey to Wembley.
Watson’s goal was more than just a winning strike. It was a story of personal redemption. Only a month earlier, news of his upcoming move to Brighton & Hove Albion had provoked jeers from some Sunderland fans. The BBC reported that he was booed during a match after the announcement. Former striker Marco Gabbiadini condemned the reaction as “brainless,” and now, in light of Watson’s heroic performance, the narrative has completely shifted. As the BBC put it, Watson had the last laugh in the most unforgettable way possible.
Although Watson is set to leave the club this summer, his parting gift could have long-lasting effects. His goal not only brought Sunderland back to the top flight but may also help the club retain other rising stars like Chris Rigg, Dan Neil, and Jobe Bellingham, who now have a platform to shine in the Premier League rather than being lured away to bigger clubs. The importance of this moment for Sunderland’s future cannot be overstated.
British media have been unanimous in praising Sunderland’s achievement. The Independent described the club as “the champion of the comeback,” highlighting how the team overcame adversity, more experienced opponents, and immense pressure to secure their place in the top division. The same paper called Watson’s final minutes in a Sunderland shirt poetic, stating that as he leaves the club, Sunderland also leaves behind its time in the English Football League a powerful, symbolic moment.
The Guardian also devoted extensive coverage to the event, calling Sunderland’s return fully deserved. The paper praised their season of hard work, consistency, and determination, noting that the team’s hunger for victory was on full display in the final. They emphasized how the club not only won the richest game in football estimated at €240 million in financial value but did so with two top-class goals and a fearless approach. The Guardian described the final whistle as sealing “a small moment in history,” with thousands of fans erupting in joy, many in tears, some in disbelief, as years of frustration and hope finally gave way to triumph.
However, The Guardian also warned that the Premier League will be a tough test, and immediate relegation remains a possibility. Yet they were equally clear in their admiration for how Sunderland approached the challenge at Wembley, suggesting that football’s so-called “wise men” those who predicted failure may now have to reconsider. They reflected on how cruel and unforgiving the play-offs can be, especially for a club with Sunderland’s history. One lapse in focus can undo an entire year’s work, and many more hearts are broken than dreams fulfilled. But this time, Sunderland found itself on the right side of history.
This promotion is about much more than returning to the Premier League. It is about a club regaining its identity, a community finding joy again, and a new generation of players stepping up to carry the torch. Sunderland had been through financial troubles, managerial changes, back-to-back relegations, and the spotlight of a brutally honest documentary series. Yet through all of it, the fans remained. The city never stopped believing that better days would come. And at Wembley, on a warm May evening, those better days arrived.
Among the crowd were club legends such as Jordan Henderson, Jermain Defoe, and Kevin Phillips icons who know what Sunderland means to its people. Their presence only added to the sense of history. Watson’s goal his third as a professional will likely be remembered as one of the club’s greatest moments, not just for what it achieved but for what it represented. Sunderland is no longer a club stuck in the past. It has a future again. A future that starts in the Premier League.
