Teenager Tommy Watson has revealed he dreamt of coming off the bench to fire Sunderland into the Premier League.
The 19-year-old substitute, who was making his final appearance for the Black Cats at Wembley before joining Brighton, scored the decisive goal five minutes into stoppage-time to seal a 2-1 comeback win over Sheffield United.
Asked afterwards if he had sensed an opportunity to establish himself as a hero as he came off the bench, Watson told Sky Sports: “A hundred per cent. I’ve been thinking of it for weeks. That story was written when I came off the bench and I couldn’t have pictured it any better, to be honest.
SUNDERLAND AFC ARE PREMIER LEAGUE!!!! pic.twitter.com/XNetaXn8Og
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“I got closed down and I saw a little gap and I just used the defender and (put it) straight in the bottom corner.”
Watson’s strike, which came after Eliezer Mayenda had cancelled out Tyrese Campbell’s first-half opener with 14 minutes remaining, sent the Sunderland faithful into raptures as the club’s eight-year exile from the top flight drew to a close in dramatic fashion.
He said: “I think my celebration said it all. I can’t really put it into words, to be honest. Just look around, it’s unbelievable.”
Asked about his impending departure, Watson added: “We’ll see each other in the Premier League next year in the big time.”
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