Charlton completed a fairytale return from the brink of bankruptcy to the Premiership after one of the most extraordinary games of football ever to grace Wembley.
The South London side were just five minutes away from extinction and
receivership in the High Court in 1984.
But after years of sharing grounds at Upton Park and Selhurst Park they
eventually returned to their Valley home and now will entertain the likes of
Manchester United and Arsenal next season.
Three times behind, they owed their remarkable resurgence fightback to a Clive
Mendonca hat-trick, the first ever at a Wembley play-off final - and seven
superb penalties after extra time failed to separate the sides.
It fell to the unfortunate Michael Gray - a Sunderland born defender - to miss
the vital penalty but in truth Sunderland should have had the game won long
before.
After going behind to Mendonca's 23rd minute strike, second half goals from
Niall Quinn and Kevin Phillips - setting a club scoring record with 35 in one
season - put Peter Reid's side in front.
Mendonca levelled matters after 71 minutes but Quinn's second on 73 should
have sealed victory. Charlton had other ideas, Richard Rufus equalising with his
first-ever goal for the club on 85 minutes and Mendonca completing his hat-trick
after Summerbee had put Sunderland ahead again.
The anxiety of both teams was evident from the outset but the tension of the
occasion seemed to have affected Sunderland the most and Charlton created the
best early half-chances.
But neither goalkeeper had actually been forced to make a save when Charlton
deservedly took the lead after 23 minutes.
Veteran Mark Bright's flick-on found Mendonca and he wrong-footed Jody
Craddock with a superb turn before giving Lionel Perez no chance with a
right-foot shot from just inside the area.
Until that point Sunderland had struggled to get out of first gear but they
came close to levelling the scores just three minutes later.
Captain Kevin Ball's first time shot from the right side of the area flashed
just past Sasa Ilic's right-hand post and Phillips was not far away from getting
the faintest touch it needed to divert the ball into the net.
The Wearsiders main problems were coming down the right flank with Neil Heaney
- yet to be on a losing Charlton side since joining from Manchester City -
giving Holloway a torrid time.
A one-two with Mendonca put Heaney clear and Bright should have at least got
his header on target from the resulting cross.
Sunderland then enjoyed their best period of the match and could have gone in
at half-time level. Quinn's knock down was cleverly touched into Clark's path by
Phillips but the former Newcastle star could not keep his shot down and it flew
inches over.
And just seconds before the interval, Charlton were grateful to Eddie Youds
for a superb tackle on Summerbee as the winger looked about to create a golden
shooting opportunity inside the area.
Sunderland manager Peter Reid will have been glad of the chance to get his
side in the dressing-room and after the first-half display it was no surprise
that he made a change at half-time, Chris Makin replacing Holloway.
Reid could not have hoped for a more instant impact as Sunderland were back on
terms just five minutes after the interval, partly thanks to some poor Charlton
defending.
Quinn's cross into the area presented no danger but Mills put the ball
needlessly behind for a corner and when Summerbee swung the ball into the near
post Quinn stooped to head past Ilic.
That finally gave the massed red and white faithful something to cheer about
but Charlton threatened to make an immediate reply, Kinsella's on-target shot
hitting Williams and bouncing to safety.
But the momentum had swung Sunderland's way and Quinn could have had a second
after 56 minutes, controlling Clark's ball on the chest superbly but hitting his
left foot volley just over.
It was not long before the second arrived however, Ball's first time header
caught Charlton pushing out and Phillips was the quickest to react, spinning
away to lob the ball over the advancing Ilic.
There still looked as though there were more goals to come and the crowd were
not to be disappointed. Charlton refused to throw in the towel and were level
after 71 minutes.
Keith Jones' through ball released Mendonca and he shrugged off Craddock to
fire past Perez for his 27th of the season.
But while the Charlton fans were still celebrating Sunderland went ahead
again, Clark's far post cross controlled on his chest by Quinn before firing
left footed inside the near post.
That should have been enough but Charlton came back again, Richard Rufus
heading into an empty net after Perez failed to get anywhere near Robinson's
corner after 85 minutes.
Extra time looked to favour Charlton after their late equaliser and especially
after Sunderland had lost Phillips to an injury, but it was Sunderland who went
ahead for the third time.
Gray's ball in to Quinn on the edge of area was played first time by the
Republic of Ireland striker into Summerbee's path and after one touch to steady
himself he fired past Ilic into the bottom corner.
Two minutes before the end of the first period of extra time Charlton were
level again as Mendonca completed a superb hat-trick.
Sunderland should have cleared their lines before Steve Jones crossed for
Mendonca to chest down and volley the equaliser.
The lottery of penalties was no way to end such a contest but it was Charlton
who kept their heads, seven unstoppable spot-kicks earning them a place in the
Premiership and a £10million windfall.
Teams
Charlton: Ilic, Mills (Robinson 76), Bowen, K. Jones, Rufus,
Youds, Newton, Kinsella, Bright (Brown 93), Mendonca,
Heaney (S. Jones 65).
Booked: Kinsella, Mendonca, Rufus.
Goals: Mendonca 23, 71, Rufus 85, Mendonca 103.
Sunderland: Perez, Holloway (Makin 45), Gray, Clark (Rae 100),
Craddock, Williams, Summerbee, Ball, Quinn, Phillips (Dichio 73),
Johnston.
Booked: Holloway, Phillips, Williams.
Goals: Quinn 50, Phillips 58, Quinn 73, Summerbee 99.
After Extra Time - Charlton win 7-6 on penalties
Att: 77,739
Ref: E K Wolstenholme (Blackburn).
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