‘One thing I will say’ – Chris Wilder can’t resist dig amid magnanimous Sunderland verdict
Chris Wilder Reflects on Play-Off Final Defeat as Sunderland Edge Sheffield United
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder shared his thoughts following his team’s heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Sunderland in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.
Though gracious in defeat, Wilder couldn’t conceal his frustration after seeing his side surrender a lead and miss out on promotion.
Tyrese Campbell had put the Blades ahead in the 25th minute, and they held that advantage for over 50 minutes.
However, late goals from Eliezer Mayenda and Tommy Watson turned the game around, sending Sunderland back to the Premier League after an eight-year absence.
Wilder began by acknowledging Sunderland’s achievement:
“It’s a cruel way to lose, and it’s going to take a while for everyone—players, staff, but especially the fans—to process this.
There were key moments where we could’ve done better. Credit to Sunderland, their manager, and the players—not just for today, but for what they’ve accomplished over the whole season.”
Despite offering congratulations, Wilder voiced irritation over a controversial VAR decision.
Sheffield United had a second goal ruled out after Harrison Burrows volleyed home from a corner, but the effort was disallowed following a VAR review, which showed Anthony Patterson’s view had been obstructed by Campbell.
While many agreed the decision was ultimately correct, Wilder was more concerned about the use of VAR itself.
“The VAR call is a subjective one,” he told Sky Sports. “What really frustrates me is that after playing 46 league games and two play-offs without VAR, it suddenly gets brought in for the final. Even their manager questioned that before the match.”
Wilder added, “If we had gone 2-0 up, I believe we would’ve won the game comfortably. That decision gave them life and belief.
From that point, the momentum shifted. I’m just disappointed we didn’t take advantage when we had control.”
Beyond the VAR controversy, Wilder was most disappointed with how his team performed in key moments, particularly during the second half.
He felt their looseness in possession and poor decision-making allowed Sunderland back into the game—culminating in Tommy Watson’s stoppage-time winner, which came after Kieffer Moore lost the ball near midfield.
“It’s a hard one to accept,” Wilder admitted. “Even in the second half, I didn’t feel like we were in serious danger.
They had to come at us, but we needed to manage those transitions better.
When they started pressing higher, we lacked the quality to adjust and go more direct effectively.”
He continued: “We were too careless in the second half. We had chances to hit them on the break, but we didn’t capitalize.
The second goal was the killer—conceding in the 97th minute like that, especially when we were down to ten men, was tough to take.
We needed to be sharper in holding the ball and seeing the game out.”
Wilder concluded: “They found their moments—we didn’t. People can talk about stats and big chances, but none of that matters if you don’t take them.
Sunderland did, and now they’re in the Premier League. For us, it’s back to the drawing board.”
