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Daniel Ballard described his extension winner as “What Dreams are made” after sending Sunderland to the championship final with a dramatic semifinals victory over Coventry City.
Sunderland led the 2-1 from the first stage, but it was Coventry who dominated the return to the Stadium of Light, with the reward for its superiority when the Ephron Mason-Clark level the tie 14 minutes from the end of the normal time.
Haji Wright missed a golden opportunity to complete the change at the end of the stoppage of the second half, and this lady was expensive as the extra-time resilience of Sunderland paid dividends just to the death with seemingly inevitable penalties.
Ballard, who was excellent in defense for Sunderland, was written at the club’s folklore in the 122nd minute, and reached the corner of Enzo Le Fee and heading to the bar to get a total victory of 3-2.
Sunderland will face Sheffield United in Wembley to get a place in the Premier League on May 24, after having spent eight consecutive seasons outside the first flight.
“It’s what dreams are really. The fans today were absolutely incredible,” Ballard told Sky Sports.
“I just felt that it would not be our day and all the boys were desperate to try to give them something to celebrate it.
“What are dramatic dreams and dreams.
“He was so nervous in this first game. He (the manager Regis Le Bris) has left Chris Mepham who has been our best player throughout the season.
“So it was a great call and I feel for him, but I’m so happy that the gaffer has trusted me and I hope he has paid for it again.”
Save the date.
– Sunderland AFC (@sunderlandafc) May 13 2025
In the meantime, Coventry’s head, Frank Lampard, left for the one who felt a non -deserved end of the season for his side.
“First of all, congratulations to Sunderland, go to the final but immense pride that I have my players,” Lampard told Sky Sports.
“If someone saw the two games, we dominated at home, we made a mistake and they marked. I think we dominated huge periods of this game. We played, control and the second half was wave after wave.
“The players have given everything, from where we come – 17th of the league in December and the players have been bright in the second half of the season.
“They had to give us the way we play and the way the boys controlled the game they do not deserve. I am very big and I have been very much, so I had a blow and have been successful, so maybe I can be a little more balanced in my work, but for those players, they do not deserve it.
“We are not bitter and congratulations to Sunderland, but we were the best team in both football games and that’s why they will be so happy to go to Wembley.”
