Sunderland fans create unheard of noise after crazy win v Coventry
Sunderland are going to Wembley for the Championship play-off final, after beating Coventry City over two legs in incredible fashion.
It took until the final seconds of the tie for the Black Cats to secure their place to face Sheffield United, with Dan Ballard’s header securing a 3-2 aggregate win at the Stadium of Light.
Regis Le Bris’ men are now 90 minutes away from Premier League football, despite concerns over their form going into the play-offs.
Jobi McAnuff praises Sunderland fans against Coventry
Sunderland came away from the first leg of their play-off tie on top, with a 2-1 win.
However, Coventry were not prepared to go down without a fight and Eprhon Mason-Clark made the score 2-2 on aggregate, taking the game to extra-time.
In a sold-out Stadium of Light, though, the home side had their 12th man very much present, and it seemingly paid off when Ballard created a moment of madness.
It was a moment that had an effect on everyone in the stadium, too, not just those in red and white.
Speaking on the Football Daily podcast, Jobi McAnuff admitted: “When you think about 46,000 people screaming at the top of their lungs, I mean you can’t quite get your head around just, I think it was just the sudden impact because the game was drifting.
“It was a bit of a lull, everyone felt like it was going to be penalties, and then out of nowhere it literally was just the biggest explosion of noise that I think I’ve ever heard in a single moment, and it’s what the play-offs is about.”
Sunderland have Sheffield United to face
There certainly were worries in the North East as Sunderland prepared for their play-off ties, having finished the Championship season in poor form.
However, Le Bris‘ side put any doubters to bed with their performances, and now Wembley awaits.
It will not be an easy game for the Black Cats, with Sheffield United having finished the season sitting 14 points above Sunderland in the table.
| Team | Position | Goal Difference | Points |
| Sheffield United | 3 | 27 | 90 |
| Sunderland | 4 | 14 | 76 |
However, it’s a one-off game and a big occasion that could go either way.
As McAnuff says, the levels of volume the Sunderland supporters showed on home turf were excellent and could well be a secret weapon in the final.
The Mackems are coming to take over London, and it could be Sheffield United that feels the full force of that, and just ask Coventry what it does to you.