On This Day (9th May 2022): Roberts strikes late to bring us to Wembley!

09/05/2024 07:00

It was one of the best nights in recent memory, with Patrick Roberts sweeping the ball home to send Sunderland to Wembley!

When reflecting after a dismal season, it can be easy to forget some of the fantastic moments that we have had in our recent history.

When times are somewhat tempestuous like they are now, nights like the play off semi-final win against Sheffield Wednesday are moments to savour and enjoy - and it is two years since that famous night at Hillsborough.

After a narrow first leg win with a goal from Ross Stewart at the boistorous Stadium of Light, Alex Neil's side were confident going into the second leg.

After Neil's arrival at Sunderland, the Scot completely solidified a team that had become too easy to score against. This solidity was the cornerstone of Neil's team who worked hard on Sunderland's defensive unit whilst allowing players like Patrick Roberts, Jack Clarke and Ross Stewart do their thing further up the pitch.

The game was typically cagey with Sunderland not committing too far forward early on. Wednesday had the better of a tetchy first half but the closest they came to a goal was when Anthony Patterson easily held George Byers' well-executed bicycle kick.

Patrick Roberts sent a shot straight at home goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell after an enterprising run from Clarke, but minutes late the momentum swung in favour of the home side through Lee Gregory.

Gregory levelled the tie with a close-range finish after Barry Bannan's incisive pass had freed Marvin Johnson down the inside left and he cut back first time.

Hilllsborough was rocking now and it seemed likely that the home side would find a second before full time. In many ways, Sunderland were holding on for dear life and had to try weather the storm and resettle.

Settle they did and Alex Neil's defensive nous was clear to see as Bailey Wright and Luke O'Nien regained control at the back.

With time ticking away, Sunderland were looking for that one opportunity that they needed to gain the winner which would send them to Wembley.

As the game went into added time, Jack Clarke got the ball on the wing..

However, Tottenham loanee Clarke got away down the left and pulled the ball back for the onrushing Roberts to convert and spark wild celebrations among the travelling fans.

Cue absolute pandemonium in the away end, in the away dug out and on the pitch with the players wearing red and white.

Patrick Roberts had snuck across the box and landed the most important goal in Sunderland's recent history to send us to Wembley against Wycombe Wanderers.

After the game Alex Neil believed that we were worthy winners after our defensive display.

"I thought it was no more than we deserved from the game. We switched off once and we were punished for it, other than that I thought we defended extremely well.

"I thought we were the better team and that's the first time I've not made early changes because I had so much belief in that team to win this game or get the result we needed, and I felt if I was going to change it I would dilute it. I'm really pleased I stuck to my guns.

"I'm over the moon for the players because they deserve it. We are on an unbelievable run of results and the players deserve a huge amount of credit.

"But for us, it's only got us to an opportunity now. Although we're happy and we'll celebrate, we need to get our mind on the next one."