It’s hard to believe that this incredible season is nearly over. The last twelve months since that incredible, transformative play-off campaign seem to have passed in the blink of an eye and, as always with Sunderland, there has been no shortage of highs and lows. With just two fixtures remaining and a decent-sized points gap behind our competitors for European football, there was no margin for error as we headed over to the blue half of Merseyside.
The mutual respect that has been solidified over the last decade between Sunderland and Everton has been well documented, and ridiculed by some of a black-and-white persuasion, but the reasons behind it make complete sense to those who understand. Of course, there are transient and relatively trivial connections, like a shared love of Jordan Pickford and a mutual disdain for Anthony Gordon. But ultimately, these are two down-to-earth, working-class fanbases supporting clubs with a proud, distant history but little recent success, having to navigate tough times with stoicism and humour.
The symbolism of this fixture falling on Bradley Lowery’s birthday is a poignant reminder of how much the whole football community, but particularly these two clubs, came together to support and then remember an inspirational boy whose life was cruelly cut short, but who leaves behind an incredible legacy in the foundation that bears his name, which will make a real difference to other families going through a similar situation.
Back to matters on the field, some may have earmarked this fixture at the start of the season as a potential end-of-season relegation decider, given our newly promoted status and Everton’s toil in recent seasons. However, both sides have defied the naysayers to enjoy comfortable campaigns spent mostly looking up rather than down, and the winner would leave themselves with a great chance of claiming a European spot, so there was plenty on the line.
A couple of us from the London branch decided to make a weekend of it and, bleary-eyed from a typical night in Concert Square, we headed from our hotel at Albert Dock towards the city centre to meet our fellow Mackems. The weather was as up and down as Sunderland’s season, with beautiful periods of sun punctuated by brief and bizarre patches of freezing rain. As is customary with Everton these days, all our interactions with the home fans were great, including a Sunderland fan joining in with a little girl’s rendition of Everton’s Jordan Pickford chant – thankfully a more PG-friendly version.
With us being the first team to make a second visit to Hill Dickinson Stadium, those of us who had been present for the FA Cup tie were eager to return, though the painfully slow process of entering the ground is something that needs looking at. Plenty of away fans complain about our stringent policy on what can be brought into the Stadium of Light, but I’d argue that many of them should look at getting their own house in order first.
After a fantastically moving tribute to Bradley Lowery from both sets of fans, the action kicked off with us attacking the opposite end, which meant strong potential for late scenes in the second half. It was a solid if unspectacular opening from Le Bris’s side, as we looked comfortable but struggled to carve out any clear opportunities, and we showed the same reluctance to shoot that has dogged us for much of this campaign. Everton arguably should have been reduced to ten men, but VAR was not on our side once again and, irritatingly, the home side took the lead via a deflected effort just before the break, underlining the virtues of taking the odd pot shot now and then.
The delay in entering the ground thankfully wasn’t replicated in the queue for a half-time beer and chips, and there was even time for a quick photo with Nyron Nosworthy, the guest of honour in the away end, who must have felt like a minor celebrity for the day. It’s great to see the club maintain these connections with beloved former players, though it didn’t half make me feel old when I overheard a young fan admit he’d never heard of him.
Back to the current charges, and the second period saw a much-improved performance from Sunderland. Brobbey was at his brilliant best when Le Fee sent him through and he slammed the ball past Pickford to jumpstart celebrations in the away end. News began to filter through of other results going our way, and the players fed off that energy to produce one of the best periods of the season. Rigg and Diarra were both outstanding after coming on, giving us a fresh incisiveness that had been missing before, and Le Fee and Isidor’s goals sealed yet another incredible comeback win.
On the lengthy walk back towards Lime Street, the reality sank in that we really are one game away from Europe. Whatever happens next Sunday, it should be a fantastic occasion for us all to celebrate the stratospheric rise we’ve enjoyed over the last few years. The Evertonians were gracious in defeat and wished us well for the final game, and we could all celebrate the latest in a growing line of amazing days that make all the hardships we endure worthwhile.
Next Sunday, let’s hope we can recreate that amazing momentum from 12 months ago to achieve something truly remarkable.
