“Did Sunderland deserve the win?”- Furious Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder delivered Brutal Honest verdict following shameful 2-0 win against Sunderland
Chris Wilder Reflects on Painful Play-Off Defeat: “We Were Too Loose in the Second Half”
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder voiced his frustration after his side fell to a 2-1 loss against Sunderland in the Championship play-off final, describing the defeat as one that will linger for players, staff, and fans alike.
The Blades made a strong start at Wembley, taking the lead through a well-taken goal from Tyrese Campbell. They looked to have doubled their advantage soon after when Harrison Burrows fired home, but VAR intervened—ruling out the goal due to Vini Souza obstructing the goalkeeper from an offside position.
Sunderland clawed their way back after the break. Eliezer Mayenda brought the Black Cats level before academy product Tom Watson—set to join Brighton this summer—struck deep into stoppage time to seal a dramatic win.
Wilder admitted the late goal was a tough pill to swallow and said his team lost their shape when it mattered most.
“It’s going to take some time to get over this—for everyone involved,” Wilder told Sky Sports. “There were crucial moments where we needed to be sharper, smarter.”
He continued: “Full credit to Sunderland and their manager for a fantastic season. From our end, this is a bitter one. Those fine margins made all the difference.”
Though Sheffield United had control for much of the game, Wilder said his side failed to adapt when Sunderland pushed forward.
“They had to take risks in the second half, and we didn’t respond well enough. We lacked composure and didn’t exploit the spaces left behind. We just didn’t get the balance right,” he explained.
On the deciding goal, he added: “It’s always a blow to concede that late—especially with 10 men. The ball went up to our striker, we lost it, and they made it count. We couldn’t find that one big moment on the counter.”
The loss means Sheffield United’s long wait for a win at Wembley goes on—their last triumph at the iconic stadium dates back to the 1925 FA Cup final.
