But this boyhood Sunderland fan gave us the ultimate parting gift. A 95th-minute winner at Wembley. The stuff of dreams. In a different timeline, that story ends in bitterness. Instead, it ends in legend.

AFC Wimbledon face Walsall on Monday for a spot in League One as the Dons look to achieve promotion at Wembley for the first time since 2016

Trains travelling from Sunderland to the capital on Friday were almost entirely sold out, as fans head south to watch Sunderland and Sheffield United meet in the 2025 English Football League (EFL) Championship play-off final on Saturday.

Former Sunderland defender John O’Shea couldn’t resist a playful jab at old rivals Newcastle United after the Black Cats sealed their long-awaited return to the Premier League with a 2-1 win over Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.

Sunderland staged a remarkable comeback to beat Sheffield United 2-1 in the Championship playoff final with substitute Tom Watson sending them back to the Premier League by scoring the winner deep in stoppage time at Wembley on Saturday.

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