The Sky Sports presenter and Sunderland fan sits on the board as a non-executive director, said the night was a ‘stark reminder’ of the club’s ‘unique power’. Fans had lined the streets around the Stadium to welcome the players two hours before kick, with the atmosphere in the ground up there with the best of the modern era.

There are some games you only remember for a split second, a game defined by one single moment and Sunderland will never forget Dan Ballard’s header.

The prize for today's overall winner is a meeting with Sheffield United in the playoff final at Wembley in 11 days' time, with the victor of that showdown promoted to the Premier League.

Frank Lampard pushed away a Sunderland fan who tried to take a selfie with him moments after his Coventry team lost in the Championship play-off semi-final. Dan Ballard’s goal in the final

Sunderland found the most spectacular route possible into the Championship play-off final and they put a smile on one lucky punter's face too. The Black Cats will face Sheffield United at Wembley in the richest game in English football with a place in the Premier League on the line.

COVENTRY, England (AP) — Sunderland struck late to beat host Coventry 2-1 on Friday in the first leg of the Championship semifinal playoffs.

Ally McCoist has sprung to the defence of Sunderland and their supporters after ex-Black Cats defender Micky Gray criticised them for the extent to which they celebrated Tuesday evening’s late triumph over Coventry City.