Amad Diallo reacts as Sunderland defeat Coventry City to reach Wembley
Sunderland catapulted their way into the Championship play-off final after late drama at the Stadium of Light.
Dan Ballard folded like a deck chair to head home an equaliser in the final second of added time against Coventry City to make it 1-1 on the night, 3-2 on aggregate.
His emphatic header sent the home support into bedlam as ex-players and managers watched their old club reach Wembley, 90 minutes from the Premier League.
One of those players was Amad Diallo, who watched on in the stands to cheer his old club on in the nail-biting encounter.
Diallo shares Instagram story after Sunderland win
It was not a night for the faint-hearted as the Black Cats left it late to book their place in the play-off final, winning 3-2 on aggregate.
As per the script, Regis Le Bris’ side sat back for large periods and had to withstand a Coventry onslaught for much of the game.
That pressure eventually led to Frank Lampard’s men taking the lead through Ephron Mason-Clark in the 76th minute.
It took the home side until the second half of extra time to enjoy a substantial spell of possession, which culminated in a corner in the 120th minute.
The man who was nicknamed the wall in the first leg leapt like Michael Jordan to head home an Enzo Le Fee corner.
| Dan Ballard’s statistics against Coventry City in the play-off semi-final second leg | Total |
| Goal | 1 |
| Clearances | 19 |
| Blocked shots | 2 |
| Interceptions | 2 |
| Dribbled past | 1 |
| Accurate passes | 54/61 (89%) |
After the game, Diallo shared a projection (13 May) of Ballard celebrating, with his fingers crossed and applause emojis underneath.
It will be intriguing to see if the Manchester United man will be in attendance for the final on 24 May, with his side playing the following day.
Sunderland must provide more threat against Sheffield United
While Sunderland can celebrate their famous win, they face a trickier task against Sheffield United in the final.
The Wearsiders beat the Blades at the Stadium of Light earlier in the season but lost at Bramall Lane.
Le Bris’ side looked more dangerous in the second half of extra time against the Sky Blues and will need to replicate that in the final against the South Yorkshire side.
If they sit back for too long and invite pressure, then Wilder’s men have the quality to punish the Black Cats.
In a one-off game, anything could happen, and Sunderland will relish the tie going in as underdogs, with Premier League football on the line.