I’ve not seen anything like Sunderland play-off drama since incredible Troy Deeney goal- Former Black Cats striker Don Goodman expressed his delight as his old side reach Wembley
Sunderlands’ late goal against Coventry was the greatest play-off moment since that famous Troy Deeney strike for Watford against Leicester in 2013 – according to former Black Cats striker Don Goodman.
Dan Ballard headed Regis Le Bris’ side into the final with what was almost the last ‘kick’ of the game on Tuesday night, sparking incredible scenes at the Stadium of Light. It meant the Wearsiders will face Sheffield United at Wembley later this month, with the Blades having a 6-0 aggregate win over Bristol City.
Sky Sports EFL expert Goodman was delighted to see his former side reach the final, even if he felt Coventry were the better team over the two legs. However, for drama, only Deeney’s Watford goal – which came seconds after Leicester missed a penalty – can get near those scenes.
“The play-offs are the greatest invention in football,” he told FruityKing. “We should all be used to the fact that the teams who come third or fourth won’t always be the ones getting promoted, although one of them will this season. But it was an incredible game and quite the opposite to Sheffield United vs Bristol City, where it was one-way traffic from the moment Rob Dickie was sent off in the first-leg at Ashton Gate.
“We saw late drama at the CBS Arena, but it was even later drama at the Stadium of Light. It was a play-off moment that can arguably only be bettered by Troy Deeney’s goal for Watford against Leicester in 2013. But my heart goes out to Coventry City because they were the better team. But that’s not what counts.
“Sunderland are a team with a place in my heart, so I’m buzzing for them. I think they were stuck between a rock and a hard place because I don’t think for the life of me, Sunderland would have gone about their business in such a way if the tie was level or if they were behind when the second-leg kicked off.”
“You could feel it in the crowd that Coventry were dominating. There were groans when Sunderland lost the ball easily on a regular basis and Coventry would come again with another attack”.
“I don’t think it’s the way Regis Le Bris wanted to play, but he suggested afterwards that they were nervous, which might explain it. They found a way to win and you have to give them credit for that. It’s about winning on these occasions, that’s all that matters, even if the best team doesn’t always win.
“Coventry can be proud of their performances and the way they went about their business but Sunderland can also take great pride in the fact they knuckled down to overcome adversity and get the job done.”
Kick-off at Wembley has been confirmed for 3pm on Saturday, May 24.
