On the lengthy walk back towards Lime Street, the reality sank in. Sunderland are one game away from Europe.
It’s hard to believe this incredible season is nearly over. The last twelve months since that transformative play off campaign have passed in the blink of an eye. As always with Sunderland, there’s been no shortage of highs and lows.
With 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.
Mutual respect, shared history
The mutual respect 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.
Transient and relatively trivial connections? A shared love of Jordan Pickford. A mutual disdain for Anthony Gordon.
But ultimately? Two down to earth, working class fanbases supporting clubs with proud, distant history but little recent success. Navigating tough times with stoicism and humour.
The symbolism of this fixture falling on Bradley Lowery’s birthday was 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.
His legacy lives on in the foundation that bears his name.
A season of defiance
Some may have earmarked this fixture at the start of the season as a potential end of season relegation decider. Newly promoted Sunderland. Everton’s recent toil.
But both sides have defied the naysayers. Comfortable campaigns spent mostly looking up rather than down. The winner would leave themselves with a great chance of claiming a European spot.
Plenty on the line.
The day out
A couple of us from the London branch decided to make a weekend of it. 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. Beautiful periods of sun punctuated by brief, 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.
The game
First team to make a second visit to Hill Dickinson Stadium. Those of us who’d 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.
After a fantastically moving tribute to Bradley Lowery from both sets of fans, the action kicked off.
Solid if unspectacular from Le Bris’s side. Looked comfortable but struggled to carve out clear opportunities. Same reluctance to shoot that has dogged us for much of the campaign.
Everton arguably should have been reduced to ten men. VAR not on our side. Irritatingly, the home side took the lead via a deflected effort just before the break. Underlining the virtues of taking the odd pot shot.
The comeback
Second half? Much improved.
Brobbey at his brilliant best when Le Fee sent him through. Slammed the ball past Pickford. Cue celebrations in the away end.
News began to filter through of other results going our way. The players fed off that energy to produce one of the best periods of the season.
Rigg and Diarra both outstanding after coming on. Fresh incisiveness. Le Fee and Isidor’s goals sealed yet another incredible comeback win.
‘One game from Europe’
On the lengthy walk back towards Lime Street, the reality sank in. One game 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.
We could all celebrate the latest in a growing line of amazing days that make all the hardships we endure worthwhile.
The bottom line
Next Sunday, Sunderland have a chance to achieve something truly remarkable.
One game. One result. And Europe beckons.
Twelve months ago, it was the play offs. Now? The dream is even bigger.
And on the walk back to Lime Street, it finally felt real.
