Alex Neil ready for talks with Sunderland's hierarchy to prepare for the Championship
Sunderland secured promotion via the play-offs, but already Alex Neil is thinking ahead Alex Neil wants to lead Sunderland in the Championship next season - but admits he needs to speak to the club hierarchy to ensure he has the backing he will need. Neil's Black Cats secured promotion from League One via the play-offs this afternoon, defeating Wycombe Wanderers 2-0 at Wembley.

Watch as Sunderland supporters celebrate League One play-off win and promotion to the Championship
The Black Cats beat Wycombe 2-0 at Wembley to send their fans into rapture Sunderland fans have every right to celebrate late into the evening following their 2-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers and promotion to the Championship. Goals either side of half-time from Elliott Embleton and Ross Stewart sealed an outstanding victory to end a six-game play-off hoodoo and end a four-year stay in the English third-tier.

'Everyone loved him' - Family pay tribute after funeral of motorcycle crash victim Anthony 'Buster' Kirtley
The mother of a motorcyclist who died after an Easter Monday collision in Sunderland has paid tribute to her son and thanked friends and family for their support. The rider and pillion passenger from the motorcycle were both taken to hospital. But sadly, 32-year-old Anthony Kirtley – known to many as Buster – died from his injuries three days later.

How the League One play-off final was won: The key Alex Neil calls that saw Sunderland over the line
It was the decision that summed up what has made Alex Neil and his Sunderland group successful. Right until the end, Neil showed his willingness to surprise by picking a team based not on performances past but the challenges ahead. After his best display in a red-and-white shirt against Sheffield Wednesday, Jack Clarke looked a cert to start in the biggest game of them all.

Sunderland 2 Wycombe Wanderers 0: Black Cats secure Championship return with Wembley victory
Sunderland are back in the Championship after four seasons away after they beat Wycombe 2-0 in the Sky Bet League One play-off final at Wembley. The Black Cats finally won a play-off campaign at the seventh time of asking thanks to goals in either half from Elliot Embleton and Ross Stewart, meaning they join Wigan and Rotherham in winning promotion to the second tier.

Sunderland 2-0 Wycombe: Alex Neil’s side end four-year stint in League One with Championship promotion
Alex Neil became the manager who, at last, got Sunderland out of League One. The Black Cats finally won a play-off campaign at the seventh time of asking thanks to goals in either half from Elliot Embleton and Ross Stewart, meaning they join Wigan and Rotherham in winning promotion to the second tier.

Sunderland 2-0 Wycombe: Black Cats win at Wembley to seal return to Championship
Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet League One play-off final between Sunderland and Wycombe at Wembley Stadium as goals from Elliot Embleton and Ross Stewart sealed the Black Cats' return to the Championship Sunderland sealed their return to the Sky Bet Championship as they beat Wycombe 2-0 in the League One play-off final.

Live Fourth time lucky as Sunderland beat Wycombe Wanderers to Championship promotion
Ross Stewart speaks to Sky Sports Sunderland promoted to Championship after victory over Wycombe Wanderers Sunderland were playing in the League One play-offs for the third time since relegation from the Championship in 2018 Goals from Elliot Embleton and Ross Stewart give Sunderland victory 4:59PM It's an unbelievable feeling.

Sheffield Wednesday's League One path becomes clearer after Sunderland's play-off final triumph
Sheffield Wednesday are preparing for another year in League One after losing to Sunderland in the play-off semi-finals. The League One season is over. Today's play-off final between Sunderland and Wycombe Wanderers concluded a gruelling, enthralling campaign. The Black Cats, who knocked out Sheffield Wednesday at the semi-final stage, triumphed 2-0 at Wembley to clinch promotion to the Championship.

League One play-off final: Ratings and analysis as slick Sunderland sink Wycombe to win promotion
Sunderland ran out deserved 2-0 winners at Wembley as they at last escaped from their League One exile Sunderland 2-0 Wycombe Wanderers (Embleton 12′, Stewart 79′) Sunderland sunk Wycombe Wanderers in the League One play-off final with a slick performance that ended four years of exile in English football’s third tier.

Sunderland 1 Wycombe Wanderers 0 LIVE: Elliot Emblton goal puts Cats ahead in the League One play-off final at Wembley
Sunderland are back at Wembley as the Black Cats face Wycombe Wanderers in the League One play-off final. Alex Neil’s side are unbeaten in 15 matches, yet it won’t be easy against a Wycombe team which finished just a point behind Sunderland in the regular season.

2 in, 1 out: The transfer scenarios that might play out at Barnsley early in the summer transfer window
After a poor season this year, Barnsley now find themselves preparing for life in League One over the summer transfer window. First and foremost, they will need a manager to oversee the comings and goings at Oakwell as they are yet to replace Poya Asbaghi who was relieved of his duties just before the end of the season.

Watch the incredible scenes as Sunderland fans sing Wise Men Say at Wembley
Listen to the incredible noise from the 46,000 Sunderland fans as they sing Wise Men Say prior to kick-off. The Sunderland supporters are in incredible voice ahead of kick-off here at Wembley. Sunderland face Wycombe Wanderers in the League One play-off final for a place in the Championship.

Former West Ham United boss fires stern League One warning to Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday will have a job on their hands to secure automatic promotion next season as League One is a division littered with former Premier League clubs Former Charlton Athletic and West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley is predicting another fiercely contested promotion battle in League One next season. Only nine points separated the top six teams in the 2021/22 season, with Sheffield Wednesday finishing fourth after a strong second half of the campaign.

Sunderland 0 Wycombe Wanderers 0 LIVE: Updates, analysis and reaction from the League One play-off final at Wembley
Sunderland are back at Wembley as the Black Cats face Wycombe Wanderers in the League One play-off final. Alex Neil’s side are unbeaten in 15 matches, yet it won’t be easy against a Wycombe team which finished just a point behind Sunderland in the regular season.

Derby County takeover state of play as Pride Park Stadium claim made
Derby County news from DerbyshireLive as Chris Kirchner closes in on a deal to buy the Rams Derby County have endured a turbulent season on and off the pitch - and fans will be crossing their fingers that the club are officially under new ownership soon. American businessman Chris Kirchner is closing in on a deal to buy the Rams.

'Our bench would win the league' - Sunderland supporters react to League One play-off final line-up
Alex Neil has named his starting lineup as Sunderland play Wycombe Wanderers for a place in the Championship Alex Neil has named his side for Sunderland’s League One play-off final against Wycombe Wanderers.The Black Cats have a chance to end their four-year stay in League One this afternoon with a trip to Wembley, after beating Sheffield Wednesday in the semi-final.

Sunderland vs Wycombe Wanderers LIVE: Team news Alex Neil makes one change for the League One play-off final
Sunderland are back at Wembley as the Black Cats face Wycombe Wanderers in the League One play-off final. Sign up to our Sunderland AFC newsletter Sign up to our Sunderland AFC newsletter LIVE: Sunderland vs Wycombe What to make of that side So it’s one change from the side which faced Sheffield Wednesday last time out, with Elliot Embleton replacing Jack Clarke - who drops to the bench.

This is the Sunderland side Alex Neil has picked for the League One play-off final
Alex Neil has recalled Elliot Embleton to his Sunderland starting XI for the League One play-off final at Wembley. Embleton has been brought into the side ahead of Spurs loanee Jack Clarke, who has been named on the bench. That is the only change from the side that beat Sheffield Wednesday in the semi finals.
