Jermain Defoe tells Patrick Roberts what he told everyone about him at Sunderland
Sunderland are preparing for life in the Premier League after winning the Championship play-off final at Wembley Stadium.
The Mackems came from a goal behind against Sheffield United to equalise through Eliezer Mayenda in the second half, before Tom Watson sent supporters into raptures with a winning goal in stoppage time.
The dramatic turnaround will live long in the memory of Sunderland fans, although the hard work will start now if they are to establish themselves as a Premier League club.
Defoe credits Roberts for impact on Championship play-off final
Former Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe was at Wembley on media duty with Clinton Morrison, picking out Patrick Roberts as a game-changer.
The 42-year-old had two spells at the club, including a short stint before retiring in 2022, and was visibly thrilled by the result of the match.
And, in a new video released on the League of 72 channel (30 May), Defoe revealed what he believed shifted the momentum in Sunderland’s favour.
He said: “We spoke before about the manager not panicking, and the substitution, Patrick Roberts came on and done his thing.”
Roberts was nursing a sore calf on the days leading up to the final, but still would have been disappointed not to start the game. He played a huge role in ensuring that Sunderland made the playoffs, having featured in 47 games before the Wembley showpiece.
| Patrick Roberts statistics 2024-25 | |
| Appearances | 48 |
| Minutes played | 3507 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Assists | 8 |
However, Defoe praised the winger for remaining professional and taking his chance when it was given to him, as they met on the pitch.
“That’s what you’ve got to do. You can’t be sulking. Come on and change the game,” he said.
During the post-match celebrations, Defoe also made sure to tell Roberts that he had told everyone that he was the game-changer.
Manager Le Bris deserves plaudits for play-off victory
It’s no secret that Sunderland are heavy favourites to go straight back down from the Premier League next season.
There will be lots of hard work behind the scenes to improve the Mackems’ squad, but the odds will still be against them.
Indeed, it’s widely agreed that it’s harder than ever to make the step up from Championship to Premier League.
Sunderland fans won’t care about that right now. They got to enjoy a match that will remain in the memory long after next season finishes.
These experiences are why supporters remain loyal to their club during dark times. Fans cling to the hope that, one day, their team will get their day in the sun.
Regis Le Bris and his players deserve credit for delivering that special day.