S.O.S: PROMOTION!

WEMBLEY. WOW.

We're Back. We did it. Til the end. Job done.

Deep breaths...

It all came down to this. Big Dan's goal is maybe the most repeatedly watched goal in Sunderland history. The club even released one video of it from every angle that was 9 minutes long. In fairness it did take him 3 minutes to take his shirt off, but that was probably because he was wearing the world's largest Elastoplast. The club also shared a highlight reel of our season so far including Riggs back heel, Wilson's wonder goal against and my favourite - our goal celebration against the Swans.

Team news saw 4-3-3, with Mundle and Riggy out wide with Eli up front. That's a lot of pace, even with Issy on the bench. A stadium swathed in red and white. My news feed was drenched in it. The pubs, clubs, fan zones and houses across the country watched with bated breath. Local lad Captain Dan led us out. An extremely proud moment for our club and his family. Vinnie Jones appeared on the big screen to remind us of the importance of the every minute matters campaign. A worthy cause.

The blades kicked off. Immediate pressure saw the ball go back to Anthony Patterson within the first minute. Such tippy-tappy nonsense had been thankfully scarce in the last couple of games. Patto then saved our bacon with an incredible save but in the same moment, Luke went down with a shoulder injury. Not the start we'd wanted. For once Luke wasn't clarting about. Meps came on, not a bad replacement we thought.

We looked rattled from the get go. I thought during the week that the Blades would come out firing all cylinders given our recent tactical approach. 10 minutes in we managed to get some time on the ball and studs began to show as we tried to put our mark on the game. Our lack of movement was a problem and Sheffield's pressure had been a thorn in our side. 'Sunderland til I die' rang out and if I hadn't mentioned it already, that's my favourite Sunderland song. We had out first corner on 17 minutes but the ball was claimed calmly by their keeper, Cooper.

We continued to sit deep as we were muscled off the ball. Our nerves seem to get the better of our young side and we were struggling to link up. While we were trying to slow this down, the Blades were doing the opposite. Mayenda reminded us of his pace as he found his way into the box which lead to a corner. Unfortunately that led to a counter straight out of our own play book which led to a goal on 25 mins. Bollocks.

Early days yet. We'd come from behind to win at Wembley before, but that was back in 1937. Our passing accuracy on 30 mins was inexplicably higher than theirs. Not a great deal had been up the pitch though. We began to gently knock with Mundle and Hume getting forward. That was quashed from a wonder goal from Burrows. But then... VAR. Our first taste of the technological advancement to the game. No goal. It was a huge wake up call and from then til half time (with eight added on) we had a burst of energy.

News came across that Luke had dislocated his shoulder. Sunderland's resident nutter has plenty of time for rest. Half time came around. What's French for 'hairdryer'?

Le hairdryer is not RLB's M.O. though. I get the feeling that's what Pedro is for. Its easy to say 'better movement' but the execution of said movement (i.e where, when and who) was gonna take some figuring out. 15 minutes at half time always feels like ages, but I bet it didn't feel like that in our dressing room.

Second half, no changes in the line up. We'd have to wait and see where our heads were at.

A bit more urgency and tempo from us immediately led to a corner. The Blades sat back and tried to waste time to kill the game. We were getting our teeth stuck in. More of that please. Jobe had adopted a position higher up the pitch, as he occasionally had at times mid season. The opening 10 mins was all us. Much better link up and movement. They had clearly decided to adopt the counter attack approach and we managed to scupper a few attempts of this among our positive forward play early in the half. Paddy joined the fray while we were on the front foot and swapped for Rigg.

Another wonder save from Patto as Cirkin put in on a plate for Brooks. Less of that please. SUFC added a third set of fresh legs and we regrouped by the byline with RLB deciding for a double sub. Tommy Watson and Wilson came on for Mundle and Neil. I was hoping Tommy might leave us with a parting gift, having had arguably one of his best performances at Bramall lane in November. At first the double sub seemed to have the opposite of the desired effect with us not being able to hold on to the ball. Until we did!

Roberts to Mayenda. BOOM. Cue limbs. Even LO9 joined in and he's missing a limb. Game on!

The momentum shift was audible. Le Fee was in the middle and running riot. Then we got so carried away we broke the ball, which the Blades were grateful for as it gave them a minute to catch their breath. 10 mins to go, Hume was gifted a chance to send their fullback to row B. Trademark.

Seven added minutes were announced and three Sheffield players marked the occasion by clashing heads in the six-yard box and adding a further four or five minutes. There number 15 had to go off with a bad head and we tried to capitalise. Long story short, we did. You'll have seen the goal by now, read about it, watched the countless replays from every angle, so I won't even bother describing it to you.

There's that parting gift. Thanks Tommy. I always liked you, honest.

There was still time to go. Mayenda made way and Leo came on to bolster our back line. The clock was ticking. Four minutes to go and I prayed we wouldn't sit back. I don't like it when penalties, free kicks or throw ins are celebrated but Enzo's celebration on winning a free kick was amazing.

The final whistle blew. We had done what some many thought impossible. After starting with a record-breaking start to the season, to ending with five straight defeats. We smashed Sheffield with a stunning turn around. Sheer joy erupted round Wembley, meanwhile way back here in Bishop I lost my voice. Legends Hendo, Super Kev, Quinny and Reidy looked on as our proud team of players climbed the stairs to collect the trophy they so rightly deserved. Back in the Premier League.

Keep the faith,

GPD.