NafisaSheffield United were left frustrated by a VAR intervention once more after a goal that would have counted in any of their other 51 games this season was disallowed at a pivotal stage of this afternoon’s play-off final loss to Sunderland. The Blades started brightly at Wembley and took the lead through Tyrese Campbell’s superb lofted finish.
A United crowd yearning for their first play-off triumph in the modern era from 10 attempts were in dreamland and grew even more jubilant when Harrison Burrows’ long-range effort flew past Anthony Patterson in the Black Cats net.
But the celebrations proved futile as referee Chris Kavanagh overturned the goal following a VAR review, determining that Vini Souza was in an offside spot and obstructing Patterson’s view as the ball zipped past. VAR was active for the final despite being absent in all other Championship fixtures this season, including both legs of the play-offs.
And although it wasn’t used as an excuse later, it undoubtedly became a hot topic among Unitedites making the all-too-familiar, disappointing trip back north after another heartbreak at Wembley. “First of all, congratulations to Regis, the players and the staff and the supporters of Sunderland Football Club,” Wilder began his post-match press conference.
“We’ve had the taste of Premier League, we know what a great experience it is and the experience that they’ll have next season. It’s going to take quite a while to get over this and we’re going to have to suffer and go through the pain. It wasn’t any spin or anything in terms of the preparation of the players. Going into the play-offs and going into the final, it was as good as I’ve experienced at a football club.
“There were certain times in the game we can look at from our point of view, where we needed to be better with and the opportunities that have come around for the opposition, they’ve taken and punished us severely.
“We started off really well and on the front foot. We found our moment with Ty. There’ll obviously be a lot of talk about the VAR. I’m being consistent in terms of what Regis said as well. We play 46 games and two play-off games [without VAR], and then all of a sudden it’s a subjective decision by the referee.
“I’ve got to say, I don’t think the goalkeeper saves it. I don’t think he gets anywhere near it. I think it’s gone past him. But listen, that’s by the by. Although it gave them a lifeline and some real energy, but without really hurting us. Our goalkeeper’s not really had a save to make.”
The Blades had opportunities to stretch their advantage beyond the VAR incident, with Kieffer Moore and substitute Andre Brooks wasting clear chances before Eliezer Mayenda levelled with 14 minutes remaining. That ignited a Sunderland fanbase who had seen their Premier League dreams fading earlier, and their section erupted in stoppage time when Moore surrendered possession carelessly and Tommy Watson, the 19-year-old local talent who is set to join Brighton this summer, slotted into the bottom corner to seal promotion.
“We started getting back in control of the game 10 minutes into the second half, and we had a couple of chances,” Wilder added. “When a team has to open up and go for it, which they did, and we’d have been the same. We were too loose in transition and on the counter-attack. We gave up some really good, clean opportunities to go and punish them.
“And if we got the second, then I think we win the game. I never felt on the sideline worried and that we needed to do something. But the two goals from our point of view are really poor. They found the finishes, but for the second goal we need to secure the ball at the top of the pitch but we don’t and the middle of the park is wide open.
“It’s amazing what stories the game can bring up. A local lad on his way to Brighton, counters and finds a fabulous position and a finish. And then the game’s gone past us, it’s 97 or 98 minutes. So it’s fairy tale stuff for the boy and for Sunderland. For us, it’s going to take quite a while to get over.”
Nafisa
