Tom Burwell hails Sunderland fans after historic Europa League qualification | OneFootball

Sunderland have qualified for the Europa League for the first time in 53 years after a 2-1 final-day win over Chelsea secured seventh place.

According to Sunderland Echo, the Stadium of Light erupted as results elsewhere also fell their way, crowning a four-year rise from League One to Europe.

Tom Burwell issued a rallying note to supporters, praising a 49,000 crowd he felt refused to let the club be ordinary. He credited the fans as a 12th man as Sunderland completed a second victory over Chelsea this season. He added that there were heroes on the pitch, in the stands and watching around the world.

The final whistle brought emotional scenes, with players, staff, supporters and members of the ownership group marking a landmark moment. Sunderland secured continental football for the first time since 1973-74.

Head coach Régis Le Bris reflected that the run shows anything is possible, while urging humility before a busier schedule next season. He pointed to the club’s structure as a platform to keep progressing and declined to set firm targets. The achievement came exactly one year after their dramatic Wembley play-off final win over Sheffield United.

Source: Sunderland Echo