Dan Ballard was Sunderland’s hero last night as his late goal secured a spot in the Championship play-off final, where the Black Cats will face Sheffield United to determine which club will take six points off both Manchester United and Tottenham next season.
Coventry also thought they had a chance to inflict home and away defeats on the banter clubs when Ephron Mason-Clark gave the Sky Blues a 76th minute lead to take the game into extra-time.
But Ballard’s last-gasp header sent Sunderland to Wembley for a showdown with the Blades, with both clubs licking their lips at the prospect of facing the Premier League whipping boys.
“I’m delighted for the fans,” a senior Sunderland source told Paddy Power News.
“For eight long years, they could only look on with envy as the away fans of other Premier League clubs sang ‘Old Trafford’s falling down’ while 3-0 up at United.
“But now it is their turn, and everyone associated with Sunderland is looking forward to seeing the United fans streaming out of Old Trafford in their droves around the 70th minute mark.”
Meanwhile, Coventry manager Frank Lampard admitted his players were devastated after Ballard’s late strike.
“The lads are heartbroken,” the former Chelsea boss said.
“Some of them have never experienced the joy of wheeling away towards your fans in celebration after scoring at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
“I was lucky enough to score lots of goals against Spurs. Then again, so was any player worth his salt in the Premier League era.
“To be sitting below this current United team in the table really is a testament to how sh*te they are now.
“They were a banker six points. It’s gutting.”
On missing out on the opportunity to batter United too, Lampard added: “This side was only one Aaron Wan-Bissaka toenail away from beating Manchester United at Wembley a year ago.
“Somehow, United have managed to get even worse since then, so the lads were confident of doing them over home and away.
“Ah well, there’s always the season after next when they’re both playing in the Championship.”
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