Tom Watson ended Sunderland's eight-year exile from the Premier League as his late winner earned a 2-1 victory over Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final.

Watson was already on his way to the top-flight next season after sealing a move to Brighton in April, but crowned his final appearance for the club with the deciding blow at Wembley Stadium on Saturday. 

The 19-year-old capitalised on a loose pass from Kieffer Moore, striding his way to the edge of the box before curling a fine effort beyond the grasp of Michael Cooper. 

Tyrese Campbell had given the Blades the lead in the 25th minute, but Sunderland - who had lost defender Luke O'Nien to a shoulder injury early on - deservedly drew level through Eliezer Mayenda 14 minutes from time. 

That came after United had forced Anthony Patterson into several fine saves, while the Blades also had a goal disallowed for offside following a VAR check.

And in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time, Watson netted just his third, and easily his most important goal for Sunderland to cap a memorable comeback in the capital. 

Regis Le Bris' team will now join Leeds United and Burnley in the Premier League in 2025-26. 

SUNDERLAND AFC ARE PREMIER LEAGUE!!!! pic.twitter.com/XNetaXn8Og

— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) May 24, 2025

Data Debrief: Blades' Wembley woes continue

Coming into the game, the Blades were the favourites, having finished 14 points ahead of Sunderland in the regular Championship season. It was the biggest points difference between two Football League play-off finalists in the current format (since 1988-89). 

But Sunderland ripped up the script and survived United's wave of pressure to get over the line, with Wilder's team having dominated for large parts of the contest, ending the game with an expected goals (xG) total of 1.46 to Sunderland's 0.71. 

And it proved to be another disappointing day in the capital for the Blades. They have not won any of their last eight matches at Wembley (D1 L6), with their last win coming 100 years ago against Cardiff City in the 1925 FA Cup final.

It was also a fifth consecutive defeat in a Football League play-off final for United. No side has appeared in more without ever earning promotion.