Kieffer Moore woeful, Hamer wows – Sheffield United player ratings v Sunderland
Sunderland beat Sheffield United 2-1 in the play-off final at Wembley to secure their return to the Premier League on Saturday.
The Blades took the lead through Tyrese Campbell in the 25th minute, and then had a Harrison Burrows effort ruled out in a VAR check after Vini Souza was judged to have impeded Anthony Patterson.
Regis Le Bris rang the changes in the second half, and it ultimately paid off as Eliezer Mayenda levelled proceedings to send the Mackems wild in the 76th minute.
The North East outfit went on to seal a dramatic win when Kieffer Moore gave the ball away and Tommy Watson curled past Michael Cooper from range in added time.
The 19-year-old will join Brighton for the new season and it was a perfect parting gift for the supporters who had made the trip to London.
Hamer shines despite Sheffield United heartache
Michael Cooper – 4
Hamza Choudhury – 5
Anel Ahmedhodzic – 5
Jack Robinson – 5
Harrison Burrows – 5
Sydie Peck – 6 (off for Davies, 90)
Vinicius Souza – 5
Rhian Brewster – 5 (off for Brooks, 65)
Gustavo Hamer – 8 (off for Brereton-Diaz, 72)
Kieffer Moore – 3
Tyrese Campbell – 7 (off for O’Hare, 65)
Substitutes:
Andre Brooks – 5 (on for Brewster, 65)
Callum O’Hare – 5 (on for Campbell, 65)
Ben Brereton Diaz – N/A (on for Hamer, 72, off for Cannon, 90)
Tom Davies – N/A (on for Peck, 90)
Tom Cannon – N/A (on for Brereton-Diaz, 90)
Wilder made to pay for Moore mistake
Ultimately, it was Moore’s mistake which means that the Blades will be playing Championship football again next season.
Watson took advantage of his loose pass and slotted home to send the Black Cats into the Premier League for the first time since the 2016/17 season.
| Stats | Sheff United | Sunderland |
| Possession | 43% | 57% |
| Shots | 7 | 9 |
| Shots on target | 4 | 3 |
| Big chances | 3 | 2 |
The substitution of Hamer was arguably the moment that changed the contest, as he was influencing everything before he went off with injury.
The Mackems will not care, they will celebrate long into the night, while United fans wonder about what could have been if the 27-year-old had stayed on the pitch.
Premier League, beware, Sunderland are coming.