MCKENNA’S STILL SCOT EUROS HOPE
At last, Sunderland end 48 years of Wembley heartache
EFL Trophy Final 2020/21
IT took 48 years and seven defeats but Sunderland finally broke their Wembley curse.
Black Cats manager Lee Johnson bagged the Papa John’s Trophy and ordered a double, with promotion from League One the next aim.
US international Lynden Gooch (holding the cup with Max Power) was the historymaker with the game’s only goal, giving 23-year-old new Swiss owner Kyril LouisDreyfus a trophy just 25 days after buying the club.
Any victory at Wembley matters. It may only be the EFL Trophy but it speaks of a club finally on the up again after so many years of heartache. Johnson said: “I feel amazing. Proud of everyone. You can feel the power and velocity of the club.
“If we can all align
– fans, owner, players and staff – this is a step on the ladder.
“I know all about the heartache the fans have had so I’m pleased to give something back to them. I know about the defeats and the time and money they have invested in supporting us. I know about the ribbing from fans of other clubs they’ve had. This is the start of that journey to look after them.”
Since their unforgettable FA Cup win in 1973, it has been nothing but hurt for Sunderland at Wembley.
There was the 1-0 Milk Cup final against Norwich in 1985, and in 1990 a Second Division play-off defeat by Swindon.
Two years later they were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool in the
FA Cup final. In 1998 they lost on penalties to Charlton in the final of the First Division playoffs after a dramatic 4-4 draw.
A march to the 2014 Capital One Cup final promised so much but at Wembley they lost 3-1 to Manchester City.
Pre-match parties were held twice in Trafalgar Square in 2019, but cruel defeats by Portsmouth in the Checkatrade Trophy, on penalties, and by Charlton in the League One play-off final punctured glory dreams. Typical Sunderland, at least until the 58th minute yesterday when Gooch struck.
Aiden McGeady took charge of creativity after the break and picked out a wonderful angled pass to send the American scampering through to finish off a spirited Tranmere side.
Johnson said: “When the whistle went my first feeling was gratitude, for being given the opportunity at this club. History is important for this club and we made a little bit today.” Few neutrals would begrudge Sunderland silverware after such a traumatic recent history.
Johnson is their 12th manager in the last decade, Louis-Dreyfus their third owner in three years.
The club was a £200million in debt when it plunged out of the Premier League, straight through the Championship and into League One, racking up consecutive club-record low finishes. The arrival of £2billion heir Louis-Dreyfus is a massive boost, and not just financially. People talk of his commitment, acumen and integrity, and he’s certainly got a bargain if he can negotiate promotion to the Championship this season.
League Two Rovers had a great chance to go ahead when Otis Khan beat two men before his shot was palmed away by Black Cats keeper Lee Burge (left).
But they could have no complaints. Boss Keith Hill said: “We played an elite team in League One and came up just short. I’m proud of the players.”
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AIDEN McGEADY (SUNDERLAND)
SCOTT McKENNA admits it may be too late to save his Scotland place this month despite returning to captain Nottingham Forest.
The centre-back was part of the squad who booked their place through the play-offs for this summer’s rescheduled Euros.
But recent injuries left him confessing he expects to be dropped for boss Steve Clarke’s looming World Cup qualifiers against Austria, Israel and the Faroe Islands.
McKenna (above) should get a run in the Forest side now though after skipper Joe Worrall was ruled out with a fractured rib.
He got the armband in Worrall’s absence and was tested on his return from an ankle injury by promotion hopefuls Reading.
“I’m delighted to be back out there,” said McKenna after his first appearance since January 20. “I’ve picked up a couple of injuries this season and missed far more games than I’d have liked.
“I’ve only played four games since the start of December so whether I make the squad this month, I‘m not so sure.
“But certainly for the Euros, if I can stay fit for the rest of the season and just play as well as I can, hopefully I will give Steve Clarke a problem or a decision over whether he puts me in the Scotland squad.”
Forest rode their luck against Reading, who twice hit a post through Lucas Joao and Andy Yiadom, either side of a Tom Holmes own goal which put the hosts in front.
But Yakou Meite came off the bench to cap a spirited fightback with a fierce shot.
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