Alious
Sunderland staged a thrilling comeback to defeat Sheffield United in the EFL Championship Play-Off Final at Wembley, securing a long-awaited return to the Premier League after eight years. However, their triumph was marked by a major VAR controversy that has left Blades manager Chris Wilder fuming.
The game turned on a crucial decision late in the first half. With Sheffield United already leading 1-0 through Tyrese Campbell’s early strike, Harrison Burrows appeared to double their advantage with a thunderous shot from outside the box. But VAR intervened, ruling that teammate Vinicius Souza was in an offside position and obstructing goalkeeper Anthony Patterson’s view. Referee Chris Kavanagh reviewed the footage and ultimately disallowed the goal, a decision that drastically altered the course of the match.
Former Premier League official Dermot Gallagher has backed the use of VAR in this instance, stating that Souza’s movement clearly interfered with Patterson. “He peels across the keeper’s path just enough to affect him,” Gallagher explained on *Sky Sports’ Ref Watch*. “He’s within touching distance and it’s the right call to chalk the goal off.”
Wilder, on the other hand, expressed deep frustration in his post-match remarks, slamming the inconsistent application of VAR. “We’ve played 46 league games and two play-off matches without VAR, then suddenly we have it in the final for a subjective decision,” he said. “I don’t believe the keeper was saving that shot regardless. That call gave Sunderland a massive lifeline.”
Sunderland capitalized on the momentum shift in the second half, with goals from Eliezer Mayenda and Tommy Watson sealing a dramatic 2-1 victory and promotion to the top flight.
While Sunderland celebrates a heroic comeback, questions linger over VAR’s impact and whether its late introduction to the Championship campaign was fair to all parties involved.
Alious
