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“That’s unacceptable, Sunderland got away with murder”- Sunderland win over Coventry City was ‘cruel’, says former Black Cats man
Sunderland Strike Late to Stun Coventry and Book Wembley Final
Sunderland sealed a dramatic 3-2 aggregate win over Coventry City in the Championship play-off semi-final thanks to a last-gasp header from Dan Ballard in extra-time.
The thrilling second-leg clash ended in heartbreak for the Sky Blues, while the Black Cats now turn their attention to a showdown with Sheffield United at Wembley for a place in the Premier League.
Ballard’s 120th-minute goal proved decisive, sparking wild celebrations at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland had taken a narrow 2-1 lead from the first leg at the CBS Arena, with goals from Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda.
However, Ephron Mason-Clark levelled the tie in the second half of the return leg, setting up a tense finish.
Despite Coventry pushing hard, they couldn’t find a winner, allowing Sunderland to strike late and seal their place in the final.
Kevin Phillips Reacts to Sunderland Victory
Reacting on Sky Sports, former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips acknowledged the harsh nature of the result for Frank Lampard’s side: “It’s cruel, and you could see Frank was gutted. But this is what it comes down to—taking your chances. Sunderland did that.”
Phillips went on to praise Dan Ballard: “We asked who would be the hero in these play-offs, and Ballard delivered.
I don’t think Régis Le Bris will change much for the final—it’s a big pitch, it’ll be hot, and they’ll likely focus on set pieces and counter-attacks.”
He continued: “Do Sunderland deserve to be there? Absolutely. Their spirit, hunger, and desire showed.
Yes, they rode their luck at times, especially with that second goal at Coventry, but that’s football. They found a way.”
The Road Ahead for Sunderland
Sunderland now find themselves one win away from a Premier League return. Their final hurdle: Sheffield United, who stormed past Bristol City 6-0 on aggregate in their own semi-final.
The Blades, relegated just last season, have rebuilt strongly under Chris Wilder with the help of new signings like Michael Cooper, Harrison Burrows, and Callum O’Hare.
They narrowly missed out on automatic promotion behind Leeds and Burnley, but looked dominant in their semi-final and will pose a serious challenge at Wembley.
With momentum and belief on their side, Sunderland are dreaming of a return to the top flight—and Ballard’s late goal may go down as the spark that made it all possible.
