Sunderland will face arch rivals Newcastle United in the Premier League next season (Picture: Getty)

Sunderland came from behind to stun Sheffield United 2-1 in a dramatic Championship play-off final and earn promotion to the Premier League.

The Black Cats were behind until the 76th minute with Eliezer Mayenda hammering a shot into the roof of the net to level things up at Wembley.

Tom Watson then scored a 95th-minute winner as Sunderland secured their return to the top-flight of English football for the first time in eight years, sending their supporters absolutely wild.

Sunderland are one of three clubs promoted to Premier League after Leeds United won the Championship title and Burnley finished as runners-up.

Sheffield United headed into the play-off final as significant favourites and took the lead in the 25th minute with Tyrese Campbell dinking over Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson after a superb counter-attack.

Harrison Burrows appeared to double their lead nine minutes later but it was ruled out following a VAR review after Vinicius Souza’s infringement.

Sunderland pushed and pushed for an equaliser and it came with less than 15 minutes left as Mayenda slammed his shot past Michael Cooper after a brilliant defence-splitting pass from teammate Patrick Roberts.

Eliezer Mayenda scored the first goal in Sunderland’s comeback win (Picture: Getty)

Watson, who only came on as a substitute in the 73rd minute, then completed the turnaround deep into stoppage time to seal promotion.

Ironically, Watson is leaving Sunderland this summer to join Brighton and will now face his former club in the Premier League next season.

Speaking after the match, an emotional Watson told Sky Sports: ‘I think my celebration say it all. Just look around, it’s unbelievable.

Tom Watson said his ‘story was written’ when he came off the bench (Picture: Getty)

‘We’ll see each other in the Premier League next year. I’ve been thinking about it for weeks. My story was written when I came off the bench. I couldn’t have pictured it any better.’

Sunderland came into the play-offs after five successive defeats, finishing fourth in the Championship table on 76 points.

Regis Le Bris’ side then required a 120+2 minute goal to eliminate Frank Lampard’s Coventry City in the Championship play-off semi-finals.

Sunderland have returned to the top-flight for the first time since 2017 (Picture: Getty)

Sunderland were huge underdogs against Sheffield United, with Chris Wilder’s team having spent the entire Championship season fighting Leeds and Burnley for automatic promotion and finishing third on 90 points.

But it was Sunderland – who spent four seasons playing in League One after back-to-back relegations in 2018 before they retuned to the second-tier in 2022 – who came out on top to spark emotional scenes at Wembley.

Sunderland’s injured captain Luke O’Nien, who played for the club during their dark days in League One, told Sky Sports: ‘I’m so proud of these boys.

‘I’ve never had anxiety like it. We’ve done it all season. The way the first half panned out, they were sitting there. The gameplan at half-time was get one goal and the next would follow.’

Ex-Sunderland defender Gary Bennett, speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle, added: ‘I’m so proud and happy for those supporters. This is massive, it’s massive for the whole city.

‘Tommy Watson, you have repaid the football club. It’s been a pleasure following them game-in game-out. Never say die.’

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