Sunderland clinch Europe as Chelsea beaten on a magic, nerve shredding afternoon | OneFootball

Sunderland clinched seventh place and a Europa League berth by beating Chelsea on Sunday, the Stadium of Light erupting as the final whistle sounded.

Almost a year after Tommy Watson’s moment, players huddled as added time dragged. After a clash of heads five minutes in, Granit Xhaka asked the bench, Michael Proctor said seventh was on and Régis Le Bris heard.

Anxiety built as the clock edged to 112. They waited on a faltering phone, then the confirmation arrived and the red haze, tears and Wonderwall swept the ground.

It felt like the old days. Gus Poyet once felt the walls shake here with Chelsea 4-0 down, echoes of Phillips, Quinn, Summerbee and Schwarz at full roar.

Before kick-off the streets were lined and children on shoulders. Sunderland Echo notes this was less about squad depth debates and more an affirmation for years of loyalty.

On the pitch Nordi Mukiele timed his slides, Enzo Le Fée blended craft and bite and Brian Brobbey bounced off defenders. Xhaka hinted it was a beginning.

For two decades the class of 2000 set the standard, a team that ran and scrapped yet could play. That menace returned, even if Chelsea’s motivation was hardly sky high.

Europe will bring bumps and flat days, fatigue will bite. It will not change what this meant or how it reconnected club and city on May 24th.

Source: Sunderland Echo