Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland then take the silverware back to Wearside having finally banished their horrid run at Wembley with the EFL Trophy.

Players such as Grant Leadbitter, a boyhood Black Cat, Jack Diamond and Lyndon Gooch who has been at the club for years, this is special.

Promotion now is the aim. Wouldn't it be fitting if both these teams, who served up an excellent final, got the taste of going up at the end of the campaign?

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Goodbye.

Max Power hoists the EFL Trophy aloft, the former Tranmere midfielder is Sunderland's skipper and the first man to hold a cup aloft here at Wembley since Bobby Kerr back in 1973.

Champagne and fireworks spray. This is a special moment. The first of many, I'm sure Sunderland fans feel.

Image source, Rex Features

Sunderland's players have to help themselves to their medals these days, although skipper Max Power does get his from gaffer Lee Johnson...

It won't feel like it right now, but Tranmere have shown with their performance against one of League One's leading sides that they would be in good company in that league next season.

Now the job is to go on and win promotion. They're currently fifth in the table with those 12 wins in 2021 helping lift them into the mix.

Keith Hill's side have a great mix of experience and youth. Promotion is well within their means.

Sunderland goalscorer Lyndon Gooch told Sky Sports:

"I've been part of the club since I was 10-year-old so I know this is a massive moment for the club.

"The boss has re-energised us, he wants us to get on the ball and play forward.

"We spoke beforehand that there would be space, with their full-back pushing up, so I just ran in behind and luckily it paid off. You have to hit the target. I knew if we scored we'd be alright.

"It's massive, a big boost for us. We lost here twice at Wembley before. Hopefully it can push us on [to promotion]."

Lee Johnson was a midseason appointment for Sunderland but his ability to turn this team into winners is impressive.

Image source, Rex Features

Sunderland have won it!

Their eight-game losing streak at Wembley is over and they will lift the EFL Trophy thanks to Lyndon Gooch's goal - created by Aiden McGeady.

Tranmere were superb, took the game to their higher-league opponents, but were undone by a moment of sheer class.

Corey Blackett-Taylor fouls Max Power as Tranmere desperately push.

That might be it.

Sunderland could and perhaps should have finished it.

Charlie Wyke nicks the ball away but his pass to Aiden McGeady in the box forces him wide.

The shot from Lyndon Gooch is blocked.

Then Corey Blackett-Taylor is hauled down by Max Power. Tactically cynical. Yellow.

Sunderland clip the ball into the left channel for Jack Diamond to chase and Otis Khan does his best to win possession but it's a throw to the side in front.

Foul by Charlie Wyke lifts the pressure. Tranmere have to get it forward.

Three minutes added time. Tranmere send on Jake Burton and Kieron Morris is off.

Liam Feeney curls in and you can almost hear and feel the collective intake of breath on Wearside.

Luke O'Nien nods away for Sunderland. Exhale.

Max Power might have had the headlines in his mind as Aiden McGeady squared to him on the edge of the box but the ex-Tranmere man can only curl over the top for Sunderland.

At the other end, a runaway Corey Blackett-Taylor is cut down clumsily by McGeady. Tranmere free-kick.

Tranmere playing in front of Sunderland here, trying to work a chink in the armour.

But Sunderland quickly break, Jack Diamond exchanging a one-two with Charlie Wyke and bombing forward before being cut-down 30 yards out centre-field.

Free-kick.

Max Power gives away a free-kick for a foul on Corey Blackett-Taylor.

Tranmere launch it towards the Sunderland box but it sails harmlessly out for a goal-kick to the League One side.

Six minutes plus stoppages.

The curling free-kick from Aiden McGeady was bent in and sent to the back post but the Sunderland flick-on is pulled up for a Tranmere free-kick.

Lyndon Gooch wins a free-kick for Sunderland 30 yards out as he gets his body in front of Callum MacDonald.

Image source, Rex Features

Ten minutes to go.

Sunderland will never feel comfortable at this stage without a second.

Can they keep their cool? Can Tranmere avoid being drummed out of it with a late second?

It feels like this will go to the wire.

Both sides can say their changes have made impacts. Jack Diamond's fresh legs gave Sunderland some extra sharpness in attack a moment ago, while Corey Blackett-Taylor and David Nugent also provide a new outlet for Rovers.

Jack Diamond picks up on the back of a Charlie Wyke knock down and hits the space in the Tranmere box.

Sunderland hopes are raised but Jay Spearing got across to tackle.

The subsequent corner is taken short and an Aiden McGeady cross is guided to the back-post by Conor McLaughlin for another save.

Respite for Sunderland, whose lead has been tested.

The onslaught continues for Sunderland, as Tranmere this time hit the left side.

It's Corey Blackett-Taylor who inswings the cross and Lee Burge has to throw himself through the mob to claim.

He spills and only Luke O'Nien's presence ensures he can mop up at the second attempt.