The magic afternoon that reminded us just how special Sunderland can be | OneFootball

Sunderland beat Chelsea on Sunday to clinch seventh place and Europa League football, a cathartic afternoon when the Stadium of Light felt itself again. The outpouring told its own story.

Almost a year since Tommy Watson sent them back to the promised land, the players huddled as stoppage time dragged. Five minutes into added time a clash of heads paused play, Granit Xhaka came to the dugout for news and was told it was on. Nerves frayed until the whistle at 112, then they could only wait.

Trai Hume and Luke O’Nien crowded a phone, the 4G unreliable, before confirmation sparked pandemonium. Red haze, smoke, Wonderwall, and tears as the disbelief gave way to joy.

It evoked older glories. Gus Poyet remembers Chelsea 4-0 down in the dressing room, and the class of 2000, Phillips, Quinn, Summerbee and Schwarz, set the benchmark. A fortress feeling returned.

The scenes outside were affirmation, streets lined and kids on shoulders. Supporters kept coming without a home win for a year, even after 72 minutes at Accrington before abandonment.

On the pitch Nordi Mukiele thundered into tackles, Enzo Le Fée mixed silk and steel like Steed Malbranque and Kevin Ball rolled into one, Brian Brobbey bounced defenders aside, and Xhaka hinted this was a beginning.

Europe will bring fatigue and flat days, it will not be like this every week. Yet 24 May felt special as Le Bris and his team crowned a surge that reminded club and city what is possible. The magic is back.

Source: Sunderland Echo