Sunderland

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

Arguably the most dramatic moment involving the Premier League at the weekend, happened in the Championship playoffs when Sunderland magically gained promotion in the 95th-minute of the final at Wembley.

Tom Watson's fabulous goal may be one of the most lucrative strikes in football history considering the money Sunderland will now bank. Tom could just as likely have seen the keeper read the shot a mere millisecond quicker and Michael Cooper would have tipped it round the post, but the keeper was short by a centimetre. Luck and skill together determining all in an instant.

Another Tom Watson, this time the golfer, holed a chip on the 17th at Pebble beach in the 1982 US Open and it was just as iconic. Had Tom's chip been a centimetre to the left or right and not hit the flag then dropped in, a two putt was almost certain. Jack Nicklaus would have caught him, he might not have become champion and history would have changed.

This is why great sport is irresistible. The skill, the luck and the tiny margins change life courses and produce memories and ions never to be forgotten.

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Sunderland defender Dennis Cirkin has expressed his joy at being part of the Black Cats' promotion to the Premier League.

Regis Le Bris' side beat Sheffield United 2-1 in the Championship play-off final thanks to Tommy Watson's 95th-minute winner.

After the trophy lift and celebrations, left-back Cirkin returned to the Wembley pitch to reflect on his success.

"I've been here before and it's special," he told BBC Radio Newcastle. "It's really, really special, to take it all in and think about the whole season.

"On a personal note, it's been a tough season off and on the pitch, highs and lows, but there's one job that we had in mind and one purpose and that was the Premier League. I'm just so, so glad I got to be part of it."

Cirkin suffered a wrist fracture in November and another injury then prevented him from taking up an England Under-21 call-up in March. He missed six of Sunderland's last eight games of the regular Championship season.

"Injuries are just a small part of it," he said. "There's a lot that's happened off the pitch. A lot of things I've learned from.

"With my wrist as well, I've been playing with a broken wrist which was not ideal, but I'm glad I could play a part in it because since I ed this club that's the one dream that I had and now it's on to the next and that's stay in there."

The former Tottenham man ed Sunderland in 2021 as a 19-year-old who Jose Mourinho described as a player with "a lot of quality."

Born in Ireland and raised in London, he's quickly learned how important Premier League football is in his new home on Wearside.

"It means so much more than anything else to put a smile on their faces, to get this city back to where it belongs," he added.

"I know how much it means, how much it unifies the people and it means a lot to me. When people come up to you, you can just tell in their voice and the way they come up to you, it means so much to them and you can see it. That's the greatest pleasure I can have.

"For my family, for my friends, for the city, to see everyone positive, happy, there's no feeling like it. Back to the Premier League is where this club belongs."

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Former Sunderland forward Marco Gabbiadini can understand why midfield sensation Jobe Bellingham would want to move to this summer.

Bellingham has appeared to take a similar pathway to his brother Jude Bellingham and has been linked with a move to the Bundesliga.

"He's been very good for us this year, and I thought he was the player that kept it together in that big game at the weekend," Gabbiadini said to BBC Radio Tyne and Wear. "He was the one who when it was difficult in that first half, he came out of it glowing and was even better in the second half.

"Do I think he's as good as his brother? Not from what I've seen so far. But there is nothing wrong with that. If he's 80% as good as his brother, he will still be a very good footballer. So in some respects, let it be, let it progress as he wants.

"I can understand the connection. I suppose the Bundesliga is somewhere between the Championship and the Premier League, isn't it? It's a way of stepping up, maybe a little bit of less pressure. There are some financial advantages of going abroad as well, the way moves can be made through the agents, etc.

"It was a bit of a surprise when he came to Sunderland. Not because we weren't a big enough club, but because he was such a hot talent. Birmingham were in a similar position to us in the league, it wasn't a massive step up at that stage."

Sunderland midfielder Jobe Bellingham is in for transfer talks with Eintracht Frankfurt. Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig are also interested. (Sky Sports, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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We asked you earlier what you thought of your side's promotion-winning performance on Saturday and, unsurprisingly, it looks like you're feeling pretty pleased with your young squad.

Here is what you had to say:

Martin: Great day yesterday and hopefully the positive feeling will last. Next season may be hard. Careful recruitment will be needed to improve the squad but maintain the ethos.

John: If ever a club deserved to be in the Premier League, it is Sunderland! Phenomenal base, great stadium and top notch training facilities. Real ion all over the club.

Jeff: Greatest night of my 50 years ing SAFC.....cried my eyes out at the final whistle!!! Need a couple of proven Premier players to give it a real go next season!

Craig: This is what Sunderland do: we get written off and ridiculed but slowly, steadily, we keep fighting. The play-off semi and the final were both evidence of that: we should have lost both games but our players (and the fans) wouldn't have it. Hopefully we can do the same next season when we were told we're coming straight back down before we even went up. KTF.

Gary: Amazing to see the club finally back up in Premier League. The fans have been amazing and the was clearly visible on Saturday. The stadium is ready, we just need the investment to enhance the team and keep them up.

Chris: What a great achievement, over the moon. Credit to Regis Le Bris for substitutions that changed the game . We kept going To The End. The whole squad and manager are now legends, Premier League here we come.

Tommy: Not sure we're ready but we'll give it a go.

Alan: Crazy season from such a talented bunch of young players. I knew they had the potential to do it but never in my wildest dreams did I think they would achieve it so soon. Le Bris has done wonders to bond this group together and get them pulling in the right direction. Watch out here we come Prem. Haway the lads.

AJT: Someone tell me there was a camera in the dressing room at half time...

Unbelievable turnaround from the (actual) lads. Working for each other, sticking to the plan, taking the opportunities when they came.

They'll have grown as footballers in those 90 minutes, but they're going to need some help next season. A lot of it.

James: I believed from the moment Brown scored that fluke goal against Leeds that anything was possible with this manager and group of players.

David: After an awful first half where we were definitely second best, the improvement following the substitutions made by Regis Le Bris brought an immediate impact. We simply got stuck in and had a greater sense of urgency. The spirit of everyone, fans and players alike never diminished and when young Tommy Watson beautifully curled in the winner, the crowd erupted and we knew we were home. At last, I'd been at Wembley and seen my side, whom I've ed for 63 years, win! Our fans were fantastic! It was a privilege to be there and I must confess I had a tear or two in my eyes. It's been a painful eight years, but we're back.

Sunderland striker Eliezer Mayenda hopes he made his family proud in helping the Black Cats win promotion to the Premier League.

The 20-year-old scored a 76th minute equaliser in the Championship play-off final 2-1 victory against Sheffield United. He told BBC Radio Newcastle, "It was a really good time to score especially in that moment of the game.

"After the first half, in the second half we were more confident with the ball. This goal was like a recompense about how we played in the second half, so yeah it was good."

He added: "After the goal we said on the pitch, 'lads we have to keep pushing again, we can win the game.' After that we did it. Tommy was incredible. He was incredible in the second half. Tommy scored the second goal and everybody was really happy about that."

Substitute Tommy Watson's winner was a poetic moment as he's set to leave Regis Le Bris' side this summer to Brighton. The deal was announced before the season finished and some Sunderland ers called for the academy product to not play another minute for the club.

On the other hand, Mayenda has become a fan favourite. Chants of "Oi big man, what's your name">