Coventry Heartbreak as Sunderland Snatch Win | OneFootball

Sunderland Stun Coventry in Sensational Play-Off Thriller

In a moment that will live long in Wearside folklore, Sunderland booked their place at Wembley with an astonishing late goal in extra time to edge past Coventry City in the Championship play-off semi-final. Dan Ballard’s dramatic header, crashing in off the underside of the bar, sent the Stadium of Light into raptures and consigned Coventry to heartbreak.

It was the ultimate twist in a gripping two-legged contest, decided in the 122nd minute of the second leg. For Coventry, who had taken the lead on the night and looked destined for the final, it was a crushing end to a season of revival under Frank Lampard.

Ballard’s Heroics Seal It Late

The score was finely poised at 2-2 on aggregate as the second leg ticked towards penalties. Sunderland had edged the first leg 2-1, but their advantage was wiped out with just 14 minutes of normal time remaining as Ephron Mason-Clark struck for Coventry, igniting hopes among the travelling Sky Blues supporters.

As the clock approached the 123rd minute, extra-time nerves were creeping in. Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris admitted he was preparing his list of penalty takers. But then, from almost nothing, Ballard rose to meet a corner and powered a header that clipped the underside of the bar before nestling in the back of the net.

“I was just so determined, I can’t remember what happened, it just happened like that – some feeling that,” Ballard told Sky Sports. “It’s what dreams are made of really. The fans today were absolutely incredible.”

Team-mate Luke O’Nien added, “Just looking around and what this man has done for this team. It’s incredible.”

Wright’s Miss Proves Costly

Coventry will reflect on what might have been. With three minutes added on at the end of normal time, they came agonisingly close to a winner. Tatsuhiro Sakamoto delivered a curling cross into the box that found Haji Wright unmarked. The USA striker, who netted 12 Championship goals this season, seemed certain to score.

Instead, his header bounced wide of the post — a moment former Coventry keeper Steve Ogrizovic summed up simply: “That was the one.”

It proved even more painful when Ballard converted a near-identical opportunity in extra time.

Lampard’s Coventry Fall Just Short

Despite their disappointment, Coventry can reflect on a season of transformation. When Lampard replaced Mark Robins in November, the club were languishing in 17th. Under his stewardship, they climbed to fifth, winning 16 of 29 games and establishing themselves as a force in the second tier.

Lampard was proud yet visibly dejected post-match. “If anyone watched the two games, we dominated at home, we made a mistake and they scored,” he told Sky Sports. “We dominated huge periods of this game [too]. We played, controlled and in the second half it was wave after wave.

“We’re not bitter, and congratulations to Sunderland, but we were the better team over the two football matches and that’s why they’ll be so happy going to Wembley.”

Sunderland Eye Wembley Redemption

Sunderland now face Sheffield United at Wembley in what promises to be a blockbuster Championship play-off final. Under Le Bris, the Black Cats have shown grit, flair and a growing tactical maturity, all culminating in this unforgettable semi-final success.

“It’s really fantastic because this scenario was absolutely incredible,” Le Bris said. “We were probably too nervous for the first part of the game. During extra time, we were good. We played our football and we just enjoy it now.”

For Coventry, it’s a tale of fine margins. For Sunderland, it’s 90 minutes from the Premier League.