rifleman_lincoln

Championship Play-Off Final, Wembley
Sheffield United 1 - 2 Sunderland

So, it was the usual play-off agony for Sheffield United, as we made it 10 visits to Wembley with no success and Sunderland win their place in the Premier League.

It was yet another desperately disappointing day for the red half of Sheffield, failing to deliver the big performance over 90 minutes. For a long time it looked as if the jinx might be ended when Tyrese Campbell’s lovely finish from a Gustavo Hamer cross put the Blades in the lead in a largely controlled first half performance.

Then a second goal game from Harrison Burrows, but was chalked off after a VAR decision. I was quite startled to see that VAR was being used – we haven’t had VAR in the Championship all season, nor for the two play-off legs, so why now? Desperately unfair. And it was such a cracking goal, too! Had it stood it would probably have gone down as Sheffield United’s goal of the season.

Then Hamer went off injured and André Brooks missed a very good chance to seal things, the Blades lost their way and sat back. Sunderland’s Eliezer Mayenda scored an emphatic equaliser which stunned the Blades, and then there were further injuries to Ben Brereton-Diaz and Anel Ahmedhodzic who both had to go off. While Anel was receiving treatment, we only had 10 men on the field and Keiffer Moore gifted a ball to Sunderland’s Tom Watson who strode forward and curled the ball into the net beyond Michael Cooper. And that was it. Quite unbelievably the game had turned itself around and after a season spent at the top of the table with 90 points (92 if we hadn’t been deducted 2 points!), we ended up with the “usual” Wembley result.

After the ‘highs’ of the two play-off games, winning both convincingly, it was incredible that we contrived to throw this one away. In this game we led, then got a second (disallowed) but at half-time, and even at 70 minutes, the game was just about won. We did play well in the first half, scored and actually looked a little more dangerous than Sunderland. We created chances and they offered little. Had the second goal been allowed I’d guess we might have gone on to win, but the disallowing of such a fantastic strike knocked our confidence and gave Sunderland new confidence. Before this they didn’t really look like scoring, but then they seized the day and won conclusively.

I felt so sorry for the supporters as they streamed out, yet again having lost at Wembley. It was also annoying that we were the better side for a long time, but just failed to finish the game when Sunderland “turned up” for the last 20 minutes and took the two chances which was all they needed. But kudos to all those who went to Wembley in support.

In a nice gesture, too, the new owners placed a souvenir scarf on all Blades' supporters' seats to commemorate the occasion.

Ultimately, I think our season went well and to end up with 90 points after starting on minus 2 was no mean feat. Chris Wilder re-built the side, brought in some young players and made us tougher to beat after last season’s disaster. We also won both Steel City Derbies and there were many positives overall. But . . . I was very disappointed to see him disappear down the tunnel after the Wembley game, leaving the players on the pitch to go over to salute the supporters – which they did with genuine feeling. He may have been disappointed or hurting, but he should be taking the lead rather than taking a passive role.

So – honestly? – I’m rather pleased not to be in the Premier League next season. The money’s always useful, of course, but it was a terribly dispiriting season the previous year, losing by such large margins in every game. I’d far rather enjoy “proper” football in the English Football League and watch some exciting, entertaining (hopefully!) games, many of which will be winnable.

So we go again in August . . . thanks to all who’ve been reading and commenting – it’s been an interesting season!