TWO Premier League stars cheered on old club Sunderland in an epic play-off – as fans initially wished at least one of them was on the pitch rather than in the stands.
Manchester United winger Amad Diallo and Everton’s England keeper Jordan Pickford watched on anxiously – but then in joy as Dan Ballard sunk Coventry in the FINAL minute of extra time.
Amad Diallo was a huge fans’ favourite when on loan at the SoL
Shutterstock EditorialSunderland is Jordan Pickford’s home town and first club[/caption]
Shutterstock EditorialDan Ballard sparked wild scenes with his last-gasp Black Cats winner[/caption]
Diallo’s Red Devils team-mate Harry Maguire had also gone back to his roots the previous night – to watch his home-town first club Sheffield United book their place at Wembley.
Now there will be two jackpots at stake when the Black Cats take on the Blades in the Championship play-off final on May 24.
First there’s a spot in the Premier League – and, second, there’s the £200million that comes with it.
Diallo, 22, was a popular and exciting loan hit for the Black Cats in 2022-23.
And local lad Pickford, 31, spent the first six years of his career at Sunderland, albeit with six temporary spells away before Everton pounced in 2017.
But it was spotting Diallo in the crowd that appeared to rouse Black Cats supporters most.
One posted: “Has Amad brought his boots?”
Another wrote: “Amad Diallo was among those in attendance.”
Many just noted the duo were there – with Diallo in a black cap and jacket, while Pickford wore a polo shirt.
PAClub icon Jermain Defoe spent time before kick-off signing autographs[/caption]
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Both were seen looking almost as nervous as the fans as the tie went into extra time.
Coventry wideman Ephron Mason-Clark had steered the only goal of normal time in the 76th-minute, making the aggregate score 2-2.
But in the 120th minute Ballard thundered home a header to send the Stadium of Light wild with delight.
Diallo will soon be preparing for a tense finale to the season himself.
The Ivorian has a Europa League Final to look forward to next Wednesday for United against Tottenham and is no stranger to the Championship play-offs.
He suffered heartbreak in them against Luton two years ago when his impressive season-long loan stint at Sunderland came to a painful end.
Diallo remains a firm favourite with the Black Cats faithful after his 14 goals and four assists from his 42 appearances.
And the North East club still holds a strong place in his heart as he regularly shows his support via social media.
Diallo even sent Sunderland a message ahead of Tuesday’s crunch clash.
The club posted highlights from a 2-1 win over Luton from 2023 in which Diallo opened the scoring.
Spotting it, the attacker shared the post to his story and captioned it with the loving eyes emoji to show his backing for them.
Diallo was one of a host of famed players past and present who took part in a guard of honour before kick off.
And former 1973 FA Cup-winning hero Jim Montgomery walked through before the club revealed that the SoL’s West Stand was being renamed after the iconic goalkeeper.
Legendary striker Jermain Defoe was also at the Stadium of Light – notably signing loads of autographs before kick-off.
But it was current top-flight heroes Diallo and Pickford who got much of the attention on social media.
“Jordan Pickford and Amad Diallo both at SoL tonight to watch #SAFC,” said one supporter.
Another fan played it straight too.
He posted: “Amad Diallo was among those in attendance for the Championship play-off match between Sunderland and Coventry City at the Stadium of Light.”
But now centre-back Ballard will go down in folklore – after sinking Frank Lampard‘s Sky Blues at the death.
GettyCoventry’s Ephron Mason-Clark celebrated taking the tie to extra time only for Frank Lampard’s men to then suffer agony in the dying seconds[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
