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Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United were punished by Sunderland at Wembley, meaning they failed to gain promotion back at the first time of asking.
Tommy Watson’s parting Sunderland gift secured their place in the Premier League after eight seasons away from English football’s top flight thanks to their play-off final victory.
Gus Hamer managed to shine for Sheffield United despite defeat but the Blades will be full of regret now at missing out on the huge prize pot and having to go again in 2025/26’s Championship.
It could be difficult, with key players such as Hamer and Vini Souza potentially departing Sheffield United this summer. That makes a rebuild likely after they had been in control at 1-0 at Wembley.
Chris Wilder fumes over VAR decision in play-off final
Not only were they 1-0 up for much of the game, but it could have been so much more. Andre Brooks went close to making it 2-0 shortly before Eliezer Mayenda’s equaliser for Sunderland.
In the first-half, the Blades had a goal ruled out via the use of VAR. Sheffield United fans won’t like that Mark Clattenburg revealed exclusively that the right decision was made for Harrison Burrows’ strike to not stand.
However, Chris Wilder bemoaned the fact that it hadn’t been present all season. Speaking via Sky Sports, the Sheffield United boss said: “The goals are disappointing from our point of view.
“The manner of the goals, the shape of the team from that point of view — we can do so much better.
“I never felt we were under major threat. I don’t think Michael has had a lot to do. We started the game off ever so well.
“It’s going to be a subjective decision regarding the VAR. One thing I will say, I just don’t think that, having played 46 league games and two play-off games, that all of a sudden it comes into play.
“And I think their manager said that before the game. But there we are. Big moments. I think, if we go 2-0 up, I think we win the game comfortably.
“I think that really punctures them. But I thought that gave them belief — their supporters belief from that moment. Maybe the last 10 minutes of the first-half and the first 10 minutes of the second-half, it gave them some energy.
“Never really felt in danger but there it is. You get punished for your mistakes with the ball and without the ball — and we have done.”
In the end, Ousmane Dembele backed Sunderland and the Black Cats got the rub of the green with decisions to secure promotion alongside Burnley and Leeds United.
Sheffield United will be even more frustrated viewing the play-off final stats vs Sunderland
The statistics from yesterday will only frustrate Sheffield United further. Not only did they lead from 25 minutes until 76 minutes but they also faced just one shot in the opening 44 minutes of the match.
| Team | Shots | Shots on target | xG | Big chances | Corners | Possession % |
| Sheffield United | 7 | 4 | 1.46 | 3 | 1 | 43 |
| Sunderland | 9 | 3 | 0.71 | 2 | 6 | 57 |
That said, Sunderland looked the likelier in the second-half and were rewarded for their endeavour. However, had the goal stood or Brooks squirmed a shot past Anthony Patterson, the Blades would be a Premier League side right now.
Sunderland’s gameplan was not as effective as it was against Coventry City but they fought and persevered and got the job done eventually. They won’t care one bit what the stats say, that’s for sure.