Ballard s extra time header sends Sunderland into Championship playoff final

SUNDERLAND, England - Sunderland will face Sheffield United in the Championship playoff final after Daniel Ballards header in the final seconds of extra time snatched a 1-1 home draw against Coventry City on Tuesday to secure a 3-2 aggregate victory.

The hosts were closing in on a place in the May 24 final at Wembley after Fridays 2-1 first-leg win, but Coventrys Ephron Mason-Clark levelled the tie 15 minutes from time, beating his marker to score with a low shot.

While Frank Lampards Coventry looked the better team throughout, Sunderland came alive in extra time and Ballard sent the Stadium of Light into raptures in the 123rd minute, rising to crash home a header from Enzo Le Fees corner.

Sunderland, who were winless in their final six regular season games, knew the dangers of getting ahead of themselves, having held a 2–1 advantage after the first leg of their 2022–23 playoff semi-final against Luton Town only to lose the return fixture 2–0.

Regis Le Bris side will hope to return to the Premier League for the first time since 2017. REUTERS

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