Sunderland 1-1 Coventry City AET (Agg 3-2) – Dan Ballard goal takes Black Cats to Wembley

Whereas the Blades had cruised by way of to Wembley on Monday as they swept apart Bristol Metropolis 6-0 on combination, this tie at all times felt within the stability.

Play-off video games not often want additional spice, however this was given it by the Black Cats’ determination to deliver their promoting hoardings alongside the sidelines noticeably nearer to the pitch.

By doing so, it was a deliberate try and negate the Sky Blues’ tactic of utilizing the lengthy throws of Dutch right-back Milan van Ewijk to create hazard.

His pricey mistake in permitting Eliezer Mayenda to seize a late winner in a 2-1 first-leg win for Sunderland had left him in tears, however searching for inspiration to mount a well-known comeback, Coventry might flip to go coach Frank Lampard.

He was accountable for the final away aspect to overturn a first-leg deficit when Derby County defeated Leeds United 4-2 at Elland Street in 2019 to win 4-3 on combination.

After surviving a vibrant Sunderland begin by which Mayenda pressured a very good save out of Ben Wilson, Lampard watched his aspect develop into the sport.

However they spurned essential possibilities as Tatsuhiro Sakamoto scuffed an try over from six yards, earlier than in-form midfielder Jack Rudoni prodded their finest alternative of the primary half over from an analogous distance.