Championship recall: A look into Sunderland’s previous playoff finals

Sunderland take on Sheffield United on Saturday at Wembley Stadium to fight for promotion to the Premier League.

Sunderland were relegated back in 2017 following years of mismanagement, now the Mackems are just 90 minutes away from a return to the promised land.

Here, Sports News Blitz writer Tom Nichols takes a look at how the Black Cats have fared in their previous playoff finals.

Sunderland 4-4 Charlton Athletic (Charlton win 7-6 on penalties) - May 25, 1998

After defeating Saturday’s opponents Sheffield United in the semi-final, Sunderland travelled to Wembley to take on Charlton Athletic.

Sunderland native Clive Mendonca gave Charlton the lead 23 minutes into the game, beating Lionel Perez. The Addicks went into the break with a one-goal advantage.

Just five minutes into the second half, Niall Quinn equalised for the Wearsiders, before Kevin Phillips fired Sunderland into the lead in the 58th minute.

Things were looking good for Sunderland until Mendonca came back to haunt his hometown club again, making it 2-2.

Quinn grabbed his second goal of the game to put Sunderland ahead again, however, Richard Rufus equalised with just five minutes remaining, forcing the game to extra time.

Eight minutes into extra time, Nicky Summerbee scored an effort from the edge of the area to make it 4-3 to Sunderland.

However, three minutes later Mendonca completed his hattrick to take the game to penalties.

Every penalty was scored up until it was 7-6 to the London side. Micky Gray stepped up and had his shot saved by Sasa Ilic, sending Charlton to the Premier League - breaking Sunderland hearts.

Sunderland 1-2 Charlton Athletic - May 26, 2019

Sunderland travelled to Wembley to face Charlton Athletic yet again, this time in the third division.

The Black Cats finished fifth in their first season in the third division since 1988, beating Portsmouth in the playoff semi-final.

Charlton beat Doncaster Rovers securing their place at Wembley.

Just five minutes into the game, Charlton defender Naby Sarr attempted to play a back pass to his goalkeeper, Dillon Phillips.

The ball rolled past Phillips putting Sunderland 1-0 up, to the disbelief of 76,000 people at Wembley.

With ten minutes of the first half remaining, Ben Purrington converted Lyle Taylor’s cross making it 1-1.

In the last minute of injury time, Patrick Bauer met Josh Cullen’s cross at the back post.

His first header was blocked by Tom Flanagan, however, the German managed to put the rebound past Sunderland goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin.

The game finished 2-1 to Charlton, winning their second playoff final against Sunderland.

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Sunderland 2-0 Wycombe Wanderers - May 21, 2022

Three years after their heartbreaking 94th-minute defeat to Charlton, Sunderland were still in League One.

With Alex Neil in charge, the Mackems beat Sheffield Wednesday thanks to an injury-time winner at Hillsborough from Patrick Roberts.

Sunderland would face Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley, a famously tough opponent. Wycombe were a hugely physical team who were capable of bullying teams, especially a young technical side like Sunderland.

After just 10 minutes, Sunderland were piling on the pressure.

Alex Pritchard narrowly missed a free kick, before Ross Stewart missed a glorious chance from a Pritchard cross.

Two minutes later, Elliot Embleton’s long-range strike beat David Stockdale - putting Alex Neil’s side ahead.

In the second half, Wycombe began to grow into the game. Brandon Hanlan ran through on goal following a poor challenge from Lynden Gooch; however, he was denied by Anthony Patterson.

With 11 minutes left on the clock, Ross Stewart fired home a low shot from the edge of the box.

The Sunderland end erupted as they knew their four-year stay in League One was finally coming to an end.

The game finished 2-0 and Sunderland returned to the Sky Bet Championship for the first time since 2018.

Three years after their promotion to the Championship, Sunderland have the chance to return to the Premier League, following an eight-year absence.

Regis Le Bris’ side overcame Coventry 3-2 on aggregate, and now all that stands in their way is 90 minutes against Sheffield United.

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