Sunderland promoted to the Championship after play-off final victory against Wycombe Wanderers

The Black Cats return to the second tier of football after beating the Chairboys

Author: Lucy RobertsPublished 21st May 2022
Last updated 21st May 2022

Sunderland are back into the Championship after an incredible victory over Wycombe Wanderers in the League 1 play-off final at Wembley!

The Stadium of Light outfit were relegated from the Championship four seasons ago and have a tough time trying to claw their way back, but they've finally made it back to the second tier of English football.

First Half

From the first minute of the match the Sunderland fans drowned out the voice of the Wycombe Wanderers supporters and this didn't stop until the final whistle.

Alex Neil's men took the lead in the 12th minute when Elliot Embleton fired a shot at goal which Wycombe goalkeeper David Stockdale was never stopping.

At 37 minutes Joe Jacobson crashed into Patrick Roberts after he received Ross Stewart's backheel pass as he was running in behind which started penalty shouts around Wembley, but Stewart was caught offside.

The Chairboys didn't really get a look in during the first half, but they started to find space just before the referee blew for half time.

Second Half

However it was looking like it would be a tale of two halves for Sunderland as they seemed nervy after the break.

Wycombe tried to take advantage of Sunderland's shaky start to the half as both Jason McCarthy and Daryl Horgan had attempts on goal which were cleared, but it was obvious the pressure was now on for the men in red and white.

Gareth Ainsworth's side had a good chance in the 61st minute as a mistake from Bailey Wright ensured Sam Vokes got through on goal, but he was denied by Anthony Patterson.

20 minutes into the second half Sunderland had another penalty shout as Stewart claimed Roberts brought him down in the Wycombe box, but this was rubbished by the referee and VAR agreed.

But they didn't have to wait too long for their second goal as Sunderland made it 2-0 with just ten minutes of the match left to play.

Alex Pritchard did the legwork to get across the pitch to be able to pass the ball to Stewart who drilled it into the far corner, much to the delight of the Sunderland supporters in the stands and beyond.

The threat of Wycombe's Adebayo Akinfenwa who played his last game for the side today wasn't too far away from the Sunderland player's minds so they desperately tried to cling on until the final whistle with their clean sheet.

But Sunderland didn't have anything to worry about as they won the game 2-0 to be promoted back to the Championship for the first time in four years.

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