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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Exclusive: Gus Poyet Sends Heartfelt Message to Sunderland Fans After Premier League Promotion
Sunderland's Premier League Return: Grit, Glory and a Hint of Destiny After years of heartbreak and near misses, Sunderland have finally clawed their way back to the Premier League, and few can argue they haven't earned it. Their dramatic 3-2 aggregate win over Frank Lampard's Coventry City, capped by a last-minute header from Dan Ballard, and the emotional Wembley finale against Sheffield United will go down as one of the most iconic play-off runs in history. Advertisement Former Black Cats boss Gus Poyet, speaking exclusively to EPL Index, captured just how much it means: 'It's massive for the city. If you live there and thankfully I had the chance to feel it, you really know how much it means for the fans. It's tremendous.' Photo: IMAGO Grit Over Glamour This wasn't a campaign defined by heaps of free-flowing football or dazzling individual brilliance. What got Sunderland over the line was sheer tenacity. In fact, Poyet himself noted: 'They've done it without playing fantastic and sometimes that's what you need, to play ugly and win. That's your best chance going into the Premier League.' Advertisement And he's right. That Ballard header in the dying seconds of the semi-final wasn't just about timing – it was about belief. Similarly, in the final, Eliezer Mayenda's equaliser and Tommy Watson's stoppage-time winner were less about dominance and more about moments. The kind of moments that define seasons. Photo: IMAGO Destiny Fulfilled There's something poetic about the way this promotion played out. As Poyet observed, 'I think it was their time and sometimes destiny is there. In previous years they were close but they probably weren't ready.' This time, they were ready. Mentally, physically, emotionally. Sunderland showed a maturity and resilience they previously lacked. No collapse, no self-sabotage. Just belief and focus when it mattered most. Advertisement Even in a final where Sheffield United were tipped as favourites, it was Sunderland who came through. As Poyet bluntly put it, 'When you win a final and the man of the match is the goalkeeper, then perhaps you don't deserve it but Sheffield United were always the favourites. It's a way of winning.' Indeed, it is. It's football. And football doesn't always reward the prettiest side. Sometimes, it rewards the hungriest. Poyet's Message to the Fans No one deserves this more than the Sunderland fans. After the despair of back-to-back relegations and years stuck in League One, this promotion is a seismic moment. It brings with it not just financial reward, but the opportunity to once again rub shoulders with the best in English football. Advertisement Poyet's message to the fans is as heartfelt as it is timely: 'Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy it as much as you can. Support the team and the coach.' He continues, 'It's going to be the same coach and they know that things can change very quickly and they need to be the extra man to help their club stay in the Premier League. They'll need you.' It's a clear reminder. The job isn't done. Survival in the top flight will require even more grit, more spirit – and above all, unity between players, manager, and fans. But for now, as Poyet urges, it's time to enjoy. Building on a New Identity Sunderland's recent success isn't a fluke. It stems from a refreshed club philosophy, a core of exciting young talent, and a fanbase that never gave up. Tommy Watson's fairy-tale winner at Wembley was more than a goal – it was a symbol of what Sunderland are becoming. A team built on belief, built on community, and finally, built for the Premier League.
Belfast Telegraph
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
How the tension and jeopardy of EFL Promotion Play-Offs provide the blueprint for a much-needed rejig closer to home
It was a weekend of mixed emotions under the Wembley arches for Northern Ireland internationals. While Dan Ballard and Trai Hume celebrated promotion to the Premier League with Sunderland on Saturday, there was heartache for Jamie Donley and Ethan Galbraith on Sunday as Leyton Orient slipped to defeat in the League One Play-Off Final.
The Independent
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Sheffield United vs Sunderland LIVE: Premier League promotion on the line at Wembley
Sheffield United and Sunderland will vie for a place in the Premier League as the pair clash in the Championship play-off final. Always a game of such consequence, the top flight is within reach for two proud clubs after setting up a trip to Wembley. Sheffield United pushed Leeds and Burnley close for long periods during the course of the campaign before fading into third, though showed their class in a semi-final thrashing of Bristol City. Sunderland, conversely, made the most dramatic of passages through to this encounter, Dan Ballard's header breaking Coventry hearts in the last minute of extra time. Perhaps it was a sign that the Black Cats' luck has turned after several seasons of toil since dropping out of the Premier League in 2017. Can Regis Le Bris lead them back to where Sunderland fans feel they belong, or will Chris Wilder earn a third promotion with Sheffield United to again prove his managerial quality? The prize on the line Whichever team lifts this will have won so much more than silverware... Will Castle Points gap will not play a factor in who gets promoted, says EFL pundit That's the opinion of EFL pundit Don Goodman, who told FruityKing: "I can't see the points gap between Sheffield United and Sunderland being reflected in the play-off final at all. "Sunderland have been in the top four all season and, despite having a terrible finish, they showed a level of consistency for two-thirds of the league season. "It's tough to call. Most wouldn't have expected Sunderland to beat Coventry after enduring a horrendous end to the season. It will be a fascinating battle between two smart managers. 'I'd say Sheffield United are favourites but no one at Sunderland will be offended or bothered by that. Logic would tell you, though, that a team with 92 points will be promoted but the flip side to that argument is could it be written in the stars for Sunderland to be promoted after the way the tie went against Coventry?!" Will Castle24 May 2025 14:37 "The richest game in football could be one of the louder ones" Sheffield United against Sunderland would have been a rather big game in 1925. It is in 2025, too. And if 1925 was when United last won at Wembley, the prize for victory - perhaps £200m - is rather bigger now. The richest game in world football could also be one of the louder ones. Wembley was a sea of red and white on the way in. Richard Jolly at Wembley24 May 2025 14:35 Sheffield United go to Wembley as favourites Over the course of the season, Sheffield United showed that they were one of the best sides in the division, perhaps unlucky to fall into third in a season in which two sides accumulated 100 points. The Blades still managed to grab 90 points on the way to a third-place finish in the Championship, and with Sunderland next in fourth on 76 points, there was a clear gap between these two in the regular season. In their two meetings this term, each side won at home and lost away, with the Blades winning 1-0 before Sunderland got revenge in the reverse fixture with a 2-1 victory two months later. But Sunderland's win over Coventry was just the Black Cats' second in their last 10 matches, having last won against Millwall at the end of March. To add to that, Le Bris' side have just six goals over their last 10 matches. Sheffield United have won five of their last 10, scoring 16 goals in that time. Will Castle24 May 2025 14:30 Sea of red and white Might be a bit difficult to decipher which fans are in which end at first glance... Will Castle24 May 2025 14:20 The richest game in football Top-flight football is on the line this afternoon, along with all the riches that come with it. A reminder that the winners of the Championship play-off final are set to receive a minimum of £220m in extra income, as is the privilege of playing in the Premier League. Will Castle24 May 2025 14:14 Regis Le Bris focused on making sure Sunderland take their chance to step up Regis Le Bris will not allow the prospect of Premier League riches to distract him as he attempts to guide Sunderland back into the big time. The 49-year-old Frenchman, who arrived at the Stadium of Light last summer after suffering relegation from Ligue 1 with Lorient, stands on the brink of a promotion which some experts suggest could net his club up to £220million. He said: 'I know the details, but I can't focus on it because my only focus is the game. After that, we'll have consequences, positive or negative. 'It will be positive because even if we are not promoted at the end of the season, we can feel that the club is growing again and we have good signs for the future.' Regis Le Bris focused on making sure Sunderland take their chance to step up The Frenchman suffered relegation with Lorient 12 months ago. Will Castle24 May 2025 14:10 Line-ups CONFIRMED! Sheffield United XI: Cooper; Choudhury, Ahmedhodzic, Robinson, Burrows; Campbell, Peck, Souza, Hamer; Brewster, Moore. Sunderland XI: Patterson; Hume, Ballard, O'Nien, Cirkin; Neil, Bellingham; Mundle, Le Fee, Rigg; Mayenda. Will Castle24 May 2025 14:02 How the teams got to Wembley Here's a reminder of who Sheffield United and Sunderland had to beat in the semi-finals to reach Wembley, as well as how they fared in the regular Championship season: Sheffield United - 3rd, 90 points First leg: Bristol City 0-3 Sheffield United Second leg: United 3-0 Bristol City (agg 6-0) Sunderland - 4th, 76 points First leg: Coventry 1-2 Sunderland Second leg: Sunderland 1-1 Coventry (agg 3-2) Will Castle24 May 2025 13:46 Blades boss hopes George Baldock is remembered 'in an incredibly positive way' Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder wants to win promotion to the Premier League for the memory of former player George Baldock. The right-back, who played 219 times in seven years for the Blades before being released at the end of last season, tragically died in October, aged 31. 'Every club has got their own stories,' Wilder said. 'This is a story that's not fabricated, it's not false. 'This is somebody that was an incredibly popular player for the football club, who some of the players that are still with us played with and lived nine or 10 months of their lives with. 'These are all things that have happened to us, and I think the club and the players have handled it incredibly well and gone about it the right way. Remembering George, which is really important. 'It won't be the be-all and end-all. It won't be anybody's fault if we don't get the result we want and it won't be the reason if we do get the result we want. But it's just part of life. Unfortunately people lose their lives. 'There are sad stories to go with happy stories, but hopefully we can remember George, which we have done so far this season, in an incredibly positive way on Saturday afternoon. 'You'd have to ask the players what motivation it gives them. They'll have their own motivation. But he's with us. We're proud of his contributions to our football club and incredibly sad he's not with us.' Chris Wilder's Sheffield United play Sunderland for a place in the Premier League at Wembley on Saturday. Will Castle24 May 2025 13:30
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Sheffield Utd vs Sunderland LIVE SCORE: Championship play-off final updates as Blades face Black Cats for spot in Prem
SHEFFIELD UTD and Sunderland go head-to-head in the Championship play-off final TODAY. The two second-tier giants will be looking to claim the final spot in the Premier League and the mammoth £200million jackpot for doing so. Sheffield Utd easily brushed aside Bristol City in the semi-finals, winning both legs 3-0 as Chris Wilder looks to lead his beloved Blades back to the big time at the first time of asking. While Dan Ballard's 122nd-minute header secured Sunderland a 3-2 aggregate win over Coventry and their spot in the Wembley showpiece. The Black Cats are looking to end their Premier League exile and return to the top flight for the first time since 2017.
CNET
24-05-2025
- Sport
- CNET
Championship Playoff Final: Stream Sheffield United vs. Sunderland Live From Anywhere
It all comes down to this for Sheffield United and Sunderland, as the two teams face off at Wembley today for the right to play in the English Premier League next season. Below, we'll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch the game as it happens, wherever you are in the world, and how to use a VPN if the match isn't available where you are. With today's game widely considered the most valuable single soccer match in the world -- thanks to the projected revenue increase of over $360 million for the winning club -- the pressure is on both teams to deliver a performance worthy of the stakes. Chris Wilder's Sheffield United had been a strong contender for automatic promotion for much of the campaign, but had to settle for a playoff spot after a late dip in form. Nevertheless, it comfortably advanced through its semifinal against Bristol City, securing an emphatic 6-0 aggregate victory. Régis Le Bris' Sunderland, meanwhile, needed a dramatic extra-time goal from Daniel Ballard to edge past Coventry City at the Stadium of Light in its semifinal, securing a place in today's winner-takes-all showdown. Sheffield United take on Sunderland on Saturday, May 24, at Wembley Stadium in north London, with kickoff set for 3 p.m. BST local time. That makes it a 10 a.m. ET or 7 a.m. PT start in the US and Canada, and a 12 a.m. AEST kickoff in Australia. Dan Ballard's last-gasp header in extra time earned Sunderland a semifinal win over Coventry and a place in today's Championship Playoff Final. Scott Llewellyn/MI News/NurPhoto/Getty Images How to watch Sheffield United vs. Sunderland in the US without cable American soccer fans can stream this crucial fixture on CBS Sports Golazo Network via Paramount Plus, which has exclusive live English-language broadcast rights in the US for the Championship playoffs. How to watch the Championship Playoff final from anywhere with a VPN If you're traveling abroad and want to keep up with all the Championship action while away from home, a VPN can help enhance your privacy and security when streaming. It encrypts your traffic and prevents your internet service provider from throttling your speeds, and can also be helpful when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks while traveling, adding an extra layer of protection for your devices and logins. VPNs are legal in many countries, including the US and Canada, and can be used for legitimate purposes such as improving online privacy and security. However, some streaming services may have policies restricting VPN usage to access region-specific content. If you're considering a VPN for streaming, check the platform's terms of service to ensure compliance. If you choose to use a VPN, follow the provider's installation instructions, ensuring you're connected securely and in compliance with applicable laws and service agreements. Some streaming platforms may block access when a VPN is detected, so verifying if your streaming subscription allows VPN usage is crucial. James Martin/CNET ExpressVPN Best VPN for streaming Price $13 per month, $100 for the first 15 months (then $117 per year) or $140 for the first 28 months (then $150 per year) Latest Tests No DNS leaks detected, 18% speed loss in 2025 tests Network 3,000 plus servers in 105 countries Jurisdiction British Virgin Islands ExpressVPN is our current best VPN pick for people who want a reliable and safe VPN, and it works on a variety of devices. It's normally $13 a month, but if you sign up for an annual subscription for $100 you'll get three months free and save 49%. That's the equivalent of $6.67 a month. Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. 61% off with 2yr plan (+4 free months) See at ExpressVPN Livestream Sheffield United vs. Sunderland in the UK Today's playoff final is exclusive to Sky Sports, showing on its Sky Sports Main Event, Premier League and UHD channels. If you already have Sky Sports as part of your TV package, you can stream the game via its Sky Go app, but cord-cutters will want to get set up with a Now account and a Now Sports membership to stream the game. Livestream Sheffield United vs. Sunderland in Canada If you want to stream the Championship Playoff final live in Canada, you'll need to subscribe to DAZN Canada. The service has exclusive broadcast rights to the English Football League this season. DAZN DAZN Watch the Championship playoff final in Canada from CA$30 a month A DAZN subscription currently costs CA$30 a month or CA$200 a year and will also give you access to Champions League and Europa League soccer, Six Nations rugby and WTA tennis. As well as dedicated apps for iOS and Android, there's a wide range of support for set-top boxes and smart TVs. See at DAZN Livestream Sunderland vs. Coventry in Australia Footy fans down under can watch the Championship playoffs on BeIn Sports, which holds the live broadcast rights in Australia for the EFL. This match is set to be shown on BeIn Sports 3 and BeIn Sports Connect. Quick tips for streaming the playoffs using a VPN
