Sunderland Returns to Premier League After Eight-Year Absence

Sunderland AFC secured promotion to the Premier League after an eight-year absence by winning the Championship playoff final against Sheffield United with a dramatic 2-1 comeback at Wembley. The match saw Sunderland equalize late through Eliezer Mayenda before Tom Watson scored the winning goal deep into stoppage time, despite being set to join Brighton in the summer. Sunderland's journey back followed their relegation from the Premier League in 2017 and subsequent drop to League One, with the club experiencing challenging periods including owner and coaching changes. This promotion reunites Sunderland with rivals Newcastle for the 2025/26 Premier League season, alongside Leeds United and Burnley, who secured automatic promotion. Sheffield United, despite leading early, missed out on promotion after a seventh consecutive Wembley defeat, marking a tough run at the iconic stadium. Sunderland's victory was celebrated by their large traveling support, marking a significant moment for the club's revival.