Head coach Regis Le Bris admitted it was “impossible to predict” Sunderland’s promotion to the Premier League when he took over last summer after they beat Sheffield United 2-1 in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.
A stoppage-time winner from 19-year-old substitute Tommy Watson capped a remarkable campaign – in which the French coach has marshalled a side that finished 16th in last season’s second tier – as they earned a top-flight return after eight years away.
“It was impossible to predict,” said Le Bris. “They played fantastic football sometimes (last season). Against Southampton they won 5-0, so it was clear that it was possible to play very good football and to be efficient and very dominant.
“But at the same time, they were so inconstant, so my job was to give the methodology to bring this consistency.”
It had looked unlikely for much of a play-off final during which the Blades had had the better of Le Bris’ side, taking the lead midway through the first half through Tyrese Campbell’s wonderful clipped finish.
A contentious VAR call denied Chris Wilder’s team the goal that would have put them two ahead and cruising back to the Premier League, from which they were relegated in last place a year ago.
You deserve this, Gaffer
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