Jack Clarke and Fikayo Tomori react to ‘unbelievable’ Patrick Roberts message
Sunderland winger Patrick Roberts has caught the attention of former team-mates Jack Clarke and Fikayo Tomori with a message on social media.
The Black Cats secured their place in the Championship play-off semi-final with a last-gasp winner against Coventry.
There were mere seconds left to play when Dan Ballard stooped low to head his side to Wembley, sending the Stadium of Light into complete pandemonium.
Regis Le Bris’ side will face Sheffield United in the final, with the winner joining already promoted Burnley and Leeds in the Premier League next season.
Roberts sends message to Sunderland fans
Roberts played a major part across both legs, as Sunderland scraped past Frank Lampard’s side on their way to Wembley.
After the game, the winger took to Instagram (14 May) to reflect on what had been a breathless encounter.
Along with several photos from the celebrations, the 28-year-old wrote a caption saying: “What an unbelievable night…See you at Wembley Mackems.”
AC Milan defender Tomori, who Roberts played with for England U20s, liked the post to show his support.
Jack Clarke, who could be moving to PSV as exclusively revealed by Football Insider last month (10 April), commented, “Yes sir,” in support of his former Sunderland team-mate.
Sunderland big underdogs for the final
Football Insider Verdict
Sheffield United dismantled Bristol City in the other play-off semi-final, beating Liam Manning’s side 6-0 over the two legs.
The tie swung in the Blades’ favour when Rob Dickie was sent off for Bristold City in the first leg, and it was one way traffic from that point onwards.
| Position | Team | Games | Points |
| 1 | Leeds | 46 | 100 |
| 2 | Burnley | 46 | 100 |
| 3 | Sheffield United | 46 | 90 |
| 4 | Sunderland | 46 | 76 |
Chris Wilder’s side finished 14 points clear of Sunderland in the final Championship table, and there is a clear gulf in class between the two sides.
However, the Black Cats executed their defensive strategy to perfection against Coventry, soaking up the pressure and hitting the Sky Blues with a sucker punch at the end of both games.
If the Mackems can replicate this plan at Wembley, then they give themselves a chance of halting the free-scoring Sheffield United and reaching the promised land of the Premier League.