Sunderland

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Earlier today, we asked you how many fourth-placed finishers in the Championship have managed to claim promotion in the play-off final since 1990.

The answer - eight!

Notts County in 1991, Leicester City in 1994, Charlton Athletic in 1998, QPR in 2014, Hull City in 2016, Fulham in 2020, Nottingham Forest in 2022 and Southampton in 2024.

Can Sunderland join that list on Saturday?

Image source, Rex Features

Sunderland are looking for promotion back to the Premier League on Saturday when they meet Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final (15:01 BST).

The Black Cats finished fourth in the table this season - but how many sides who came fourth have gone on to win promotion in the final since 1990?

Come back to this page later today for the answer.

Image source, Rex Features

Premier League referee Chris Kavanagh will take charge of Saturday's Championship play-off final between Sheffield United and Sunderland.

The 39-year-old started refereeing in the EFL in 2014 before stepping up to the Premier League in 2017.

Saturday will be his second Championship final, having refereed the 2021 Wembley showpiece when Fulham beat Swansea City 2-0 and he sent off the Swans' Jay Fulton.

Kavanagh was also in charge for last season's EFL Cup final between Chelsea and Liverpool and has officiated in the Champions League, Europa League and Nations League.

All three play-off finals this year will include the use of VAR, semi-automated offside technology and in-stadia announcements.

Father Marc Lyden-Smith, the priest from Netflix show Sunderland 'Til I Die, says "There's a few extra candles been lit" in his church ahead of Saturday's Championship play-off final.

The Black Cats face Sheffield United at Wembley after beating Coventry City in the semi-final over two legs.

Fr Marc told BBC Radio Newcastle: "I'm feeling confident, actually.

"Last week, the match wasn't a great match but you don't remember all the nerves being shot and the anxiety and the worry because the last minute was so magical and now we're through to the final - all to play for and about time we returned to the big time."

Fans have quipped that Dan Ballard's extra-time winner was 'typical Sunderland' and that the club never do things the easy way.

But the Catholic parish priest of Seaham and Houghton-le-Spring isn't bothered how they win promotion to the Premier League so long as they do.

"I don't care as long as we pass that line," he said.

"It's been such a long time coming and I think most neutral people that watched Sunderland Til I Die, our fans throughout the world, we've got a great fanbase throughout the globe actually.

"People in the north east want the derby to be back. I'm sure there will be Newcastle fans hoping we get up, you never know. Lots of people are behind Sunderland on Saturday.

"I don't care how we get there as long as we cross that line and get back to where this club belongs, which is in the Premier League."

Religious or not, plenty of Sunderland fans will be praying for a win on Saturday.

Fr Marc said: "There's a few extra candles been lit, I've noticed. Lots of Sunderland fans have been popping and lighting candles and why not?

"And we have a new Pope. Sunderland are now unbeaten under Pope Leo, so that's exciting. The last Pope was a Sunderland fan, why can't we not claim this one as well, eh?"

You can listen to more from Father Marc Lyden-Smith on BBC Sounds.

Sunderland are keen on signing Montpellier's Mali defender Modibo Sagnan, 26 - whether they win promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs or remain in the Championship. (Sunderland Echo, external)

Want more transfer news? Take a look at Tuesday's gossip column here.

In one of the most memorable moments from Netflix show Sunderland Til I Die, fan Michelle Barraclough cried, "Why is it never us celebrating? Why is it never us?" after the 2019 League One play-off final loss to Charlton.

Six years later, the Championship play-off final awaits the Black Cats this weekend.

Michelle told BBC Radio Newcastle it'll "probably" be the greatest day of her life if Sunderland win against Sheffield United.

"Although we won against Wycombe, that was obviously the [2022] League One play-off, this is to get back where we belong, in the Premier League."

"And let's not forget," she added, "this is the richest game in football. The winner receives £220m I believe. Something like that. Of course the loser gets nothing. So it really is the biggest game in football. The richest game in football. So this is a different level again isn't it?"

"It was brilliant seeing them win against Wycombe getting into the Championship again but that was only half way. We really need this one to get back in the Premier League."

Regis Le Bris' side secured their place in the Championship play-off final through a dramatic last second of extra-time winner from Dan Ballard.

"It's an absolute rollercoaster being a Sunderland fan," Michelle added.

"The amount of ups and downs but every time something like Tuesday night happens, it's worth it all. There's no feeling like it. No feeling in the world than when your team's winning.

"It's absolutely brilliant. You can't believe the difference it makes in the whole city. It lifts the whole city. The amount of people who were smiling and if it had gone the other way it would have been the opposite."

Michelle is feeling optimistic ahead of Saturday's trip to Wembley.

"It's one of those games where you've literally got 50% chance of winning," she said.

"I think form goes out the window to be honest. We've just lost five league games and then won two games in the play-off. So what can I say?

"We're through to Wembley. We've got as much chance as Sheffield United. As far as I'm concerned we're in with a good shout."

You can listen to more from Michelle Barraclough on BBC Sounds.

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Dan Ballard says he visualised Didier Drogba's iconic Champions League final goal just seconds before steering in a replica to take Sunderland to Wembley.

The 25-year-old former Arsenal youngster headed in a corner at the near post to overcome Coventry in the final seconds of extra time in the Championship play-off semi-final at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday.

It came 13 years to the week after Drogba produced a similar finish from a corner to snatch an 89th-minute draw for Chelsea in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich, and Ballard said he had visualised it before Enzo Le Fee swung in the set-piece which he stooped to head home in unorthodox fashion in mid-air.

He told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I didn't know how many minutes had been put up, I was focused on the game, I knew it would be one of the last opportunities.

"I pictured, I don't know why, Didier Drogba's goal in the Champions League final. I thought 'I'm going to hang around at the near post and try to get half a yard and flick it into the top corner'.

"It was a great ball from Enzo and that's what happened. It all worked out perfectly."

Ballard admitted Drogba's header, which paved the way for the Blues to win the match on penalties, was his favourite goal growing up, adding: "The corners before hadn't worked out so well and I wasn't getting my timing quite right - I had that picture in my head."

Ballard said the celebrations after his winner at the Stadium of Light were "just an outpouring of emotion".

"The noise in the stadium, the reaction of the fans, players and staff - I think everyone lost control a little bit," he said.

"It was really emotional, honestly just pure joy and I think every fan in the stadium felt that as well and the noise in there was just incredible.

"When the ball came off the back of my head, I just had a feeling it was going in, even though it as strange technique I just had a feeling and when it hit the back of the net I lost all control and I think everyone else did as well."

Ballard said he had been taken aback by the response to his goal on Wearside, admitting: "I have had thousands of messages saying it was the greatest night of their life and their greatest football moment. I probably didn't realise the significance of it at the time. A few days go by and I realise the impact it had on the city."

Ballard helped Blackpool earn promotion from League One at Wembley in 2021 while on loan from Arsenal and said the experience will help when the Black Cats take on Sheffield United on 24 May.

He said: "Four or five were here with Sunderland when they went up from League One in 2022. Even winning the EFL Trophy in 2021 is all experience of playing at Wembley. It was daunting where I first played there. A bit of experience in the dressing room will help massively."

Ballard said Sunderland will "take a lot of confidence" from both of their league games against the Blades into the final.

"Even though we had a 1-0 defeat away from home I thought we played really well," he said. "I wasn't involved at the Stadium of Light but the lads were terrific. They were tough games but we can take a lot of confidence from them."

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, Rex Features

The kick-off time has been confirmed for the Championship play-off final between Sunderland and Sheffield United.

The English Football League confirmed on Thursday afternoon that the Wembley showpiece will get under way at 15:00 BST next Saturday afternoon, 24 May.

The announcement follows a meeting of the safety advisory group which includes representatives from all relevant agencies and other stakeholders, including the Metropolitan Police and Wembley National Stadium.

The League One play-off final the following day will kick-off at 13:00 BST and the League Two decider will start at 15:00 BST on Bank Holiday Monday, 26 May.

All three play-off finals will include the use of VAR, semi-automated offside technology and in-stadia announcements.

Earlier we asked what you made of Sunderland's dramatic conclusion to the second leg of the play-off semi-final against Coventry.

Here are a selection of the views we received.

Jonny: If the boys do get promoted, then they've deserved it. Even if they only stay there for one season, so be it. It's the experience they've wanted and battled for. Howay the lads!

Rob: God knows how we managed to get there but we did. Two teams with shocking Wembley results - should be interesting.

John: Fantastic finish but we only came alive in the second half of extra time. We need to be more positive in the final and leave Isidor on the bench in favour of a midfielder.

David: Loudest crowd I've heard. Roaring SAFC on till the very end. Players step up on nights like this and Ballard stood on our shoulders and delivered. Thank you all.

James: Not the best performance but I feel we deserve to be in the Prem more so than a long-ball/long-throw team like Coventry. As a southern Sunderland fan with little affinity to my hometown, the club is how me and my brother have always related to our ancestry and family in the north east. It's my identity, my home. My dad wouldn't let me support another team when I was a kid, even when I tried - and I'm so glad now that he didn't.

Colin: A brilliant and controlled two-leg performance by Sunderland. Some hairy moments but thoroughly deserved the win. Dan Ballard was superb upon his return to the team, capping it all perfectly with his last-gasp goal. Howay the Lads!

Michael H: Absolutely buzzing, Ballard worthy of scoring the winner. The team were brilliant over the two legs, as were the fans

Bob: My son and I set off at 3.30 from South Manchester to go to the match. Closures of the M60 and then the M62 meant that we never made it. Gutted, the atmosphere at the SoL looked electric, really wished we could have been there. Not the same watching on TV but still did a lap of the house when we scored.

Robert: Very disappointed in the performance but another smash and grab. We looked tired and out of ideas but roll on Wembley, a game that could change everything.

Jack: I didn't see that coming. I think it goes to show what a determined bunch of players Sunderland actually possess. To have that sort of end to a season and still being able to go and beat a team like Coventry over two legs is a massive accomplishment. You never know what to expect as a Sunderland supporter. Sheffield United I feel are a class above Coventry however, it's going to a tough tough game in the final but hopefully we can overcome the challenge and make it back to the Premier League after way too long away.

Chris: What an achievement to get to Wembley. Whatever happens, Regis Le Bris and the players have been fantastic this season. One final push from the lads and you will all be legends.

Angela: Absolutely over the moon for the fans in The Stadium of Light - what a way to win.

Michael: We played a dangerous game - the best team lost but we stayed in the game and scored an incredible last-gasp winner. Too often on the wrong end of last-gasp winners. Haway me bonny lads!

Former Sunderland captain Bobby Kerr isn't expecting "any problems" from Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final.

The Black Cats beat Coventry in the semi-final with a last-minute winner from Dan Ballard to secure a spot to fight for Premier League promotion at Wembley.

Outside the Stadium of Light after the game, Kerr told BBC Radio Newcastle the win was "excellent".

He added: "We're used to winning so we've done well today. We hope it keeps us going for the rest of the season."

The midfielder was the skipper for Sunderland's heroic FA Cup win in 1973 and while remembering his success, he hopes for a similar outcome in the play-off final on 24 May.

"I've been there before, once. It's magnificent for the lads now that are going and for all the fans. Hopefully we get the win there."

When asked how he felt about the challenge of Sheffield United, Kerr said: "Well, I don't think we'll get any problems... hopefully."

Listen to more reaction from Sunderland's win on BBC Sounds.

Sunderland captain Dan Neil will lead out his boyhood club at Wembley in the Championship play-off final against Sheffield United after their "unbelievable" play-off semi-final win against Coventry.

Dan Ballard's last minute winner mirrored the Black Cats' 2019 League One play-off final defeat by Charlton where Patrick Bauer scored in added time to send the Addicks up.

"I wasn't quite in the squad back then, I was up in the stands with my dad," Neil told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"It was gutting watching that and seeing all the Sunderland players fall to the ground after all the hard work they put in that year.

"For the roles reversed this year, it's one of the best feelings I've ever had. Hopefully another one coming soon."

The midfielder praised the mentality of his team-mates to keep going until the end.

"It was unbelievable," he added. "I think that just shows the character of the squad. The motto is quite fitting, 'til the end. We certainly kept going 'til the end.

"I thought the last 15 minutes of extra time was outstanding. Tired legs. Fatigued mentally as well as physically because they had a lot of the ball again but we took the game by the scruff of the neck a little bit in the last 15 and we actually created some decent chances and kept the ball a little bit better and big Dan Ballard pops up with a special moment."

Now one win away from returning to the Premier League after eight years out of the top flight, Neil takes confidence from the last part of the semi-final.

"I think that last 15 minutes shows that when we're on it and when we believe in ourselves, when we trust each other, we can cut through teams," he said.

"We can cut through teams in possession and we need to take that into Wembley and take that character and that spirit backed by all them fans again coming to Wembley who were absolutely outstanding today. One last big push."

You can listen to more from Dan Neil on BBC Sounds.

Well have you ever seen anything like that?

Dan Ballard's mid-air crouch to head home via the underside of the bar and send Sunderland to Wembley with virtually the final touch of extra time.

Black Cats fans, have you ever heard the Stadium of Light like that? Can you now go on to beat Sheffield United?

Sorry Sky Blues fans, where does this latest heartbreak rank in your club's top-10 of misery? Do you think City can bounce back next season?

Come back to this page later to find out what some of you had to say...

Regis Le Bris admits he went on a rollercoaster of emotion through the second leg before Sunderland's last-gasp goal against Coventry ensured their passage to Wembley.

Dan Ballard headed home off the underside of the crossbar with virtually the final touch of extra time to ensure a 1-1 draw on the night and a 3-2 victory on aggregate to book a date with Sheffield United on 24 May in the Championship play-off final.

"The end was absolutely fantastic," the Black Cats boss told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"I think the emotion is brilliant. The first 90 minutes I was frustrated – I thought it was possible for us to play better. But we were in a strange position, one goal up, do we need to defend, do we need to attack, probably we were a bit nervous, but after their goal and in extra time we showed we were able to play good football with a different shape.

"It was a question of confidence. With young players it's a new experience, the second leg of a semi-final and they stayed together. It was clear even if we didn't play good football we were well connected, the energy was strong and we defended incredibly well.

"After that it was a question of mindset - you can make the difference just because you believe more than the opponent."

Le Bris made his first sub after 83 minutes, with Chris Rigg replacing Wilson Isidor, while Romaine Mundle came off the bench five minutes into extra time, in place of Patrick Roberts.

"We have to manage what we have and I think we did well," Le Bris said. "For the last 30 minutes we had other options but they were short options due to injuries. We changed dynamic, It was a success at the end."

The Frenchman also paid tribute to Ballard who returned to the starting XI for the first time last Friday night, having missed 11 games during the run-in due to a hamstring problem.

"Dan Ballard he's impressive, his physicality in the back-line is so important for us and to score at the end... (even) better," he said.

Click here to listen to the full interview with Regis Le Bris via BBC Sounds.

Dan Ballard sent Sunderland to Wembley scoring a last-minute extra-time winner in the Championship play-off semi-final against Coventry.

The defender put in back-to-back man of the match performances in each leg for the Black Cats and BBC Radio Newcastle's Sunderland commentary duo sung his praises.

As the final whistle sounded, Gary Bennett said, "What a way to win a game. Fantastic."

Nick Barnes added: "What a night. Sunderland didn't really turn up for the 90 minutes. They made the change in extra time. Mundle coming on. They changed the formation. They went until the end."

In the build up to the winning goal, former Sunderland captain Bennett backed Ballard to score and gloated about his mystic powers after the game finished.

"We called it. We said Daniel Ballard will score and he has done. He never lets us down," he said.

Barnes added: "He was immense on Friday night at Coventry City. Suddenly from nowhere Sunderland have dug this out tonight and Dan Ballard has written his name in Sunderland folklore."

Despite the positive result, there were frustrations with Sunderland's approach to the game with Coventry enjoying control for most of the match and the Sky Blues' goal felt inevitable.

"We've been calling it all night," Bennett said. "He's got to change the formation and when he did change it we had more possession of the ball. We started to cause them more problems.

"Playing 4-4-2, away from home it worked. At home, it didn't work. Simple as that."

Barnes finished the post-match summary with a bold claim.

"I'm lost for words, absolutely lost for words. It's the most remarkable end to a game I think I've probably ever seen," he said.

You can listen to more reaction to Sunderland's win on BBC Sounds.