Hello and welcome to
Sports Mole's live text coverage of the League One playoff final between
Charlton Athletic and
Sunderland at Wembley Stadium.
Charlton finished the regular season in good form to claim third place, before edging out Doncaster Rovers on penalties in the semi-finals, while their opponents stuttered somewhat ahead of their two-legged win over Portsmouth.
The side finishing fifth in League One - Sunderland this season - has not gained promotion via the playoffs since Barnsley in 2005-06, meanwhile, and only Newcastle United (eight) are on a longer winless run in matches played at the old and new Wembley than the Black Cats (six).
CHARLTON TEAM NEWS!
STARTING XI: Phillips; Bielik, Bauer, Sarr; Dijksteel, Cullen, Pratley, Aribo, Purrington; Parker, Taylor
SUBS: Maxwell, Pearce, Forster-Caskey, Reeves, Solly, Williams, Lapslie
SUNDERLAND TEAM NEWS!
STARTING XI: McLaughlin; O'Nien, Ozturk, Flanagan, Oviedo; Power, Cattermole, Leadbitter; Honeyman, Wyke, Maguire
SUBS: Stryjek, Matthews, Gooch, McGeady, Morgan, Grigg, Dunne
KICKOFF: Sunderland go with an unchanged XI on the back of their goalless second leg against Portsmouth, which was enough to take them through 1-0 on aggregate, while Charlton bring in playoff veteran Pratley for Morgan following their narrow triumph against Doncaster. The Black Cats get us up and running at Wembley!
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Power was tackled with a little over a minute on the clock and play has been paused since then. The Sunderland midfielder appears to be in a bit of discomfort - this could be a major blow for Ross so early in the game. Charlton, just to confirm, appear to be going with a back three.
Following that early stoppage, Power is back on the field. Sunderland are enjoying a good spell on top, culminating in Maguire getting a volleyed effort on target from a tight angle that is easily dealt with by Phillips.
GOAL! CHARLTON 0-1 SUNDERLAND (NABY SARR, OG)
WHAT A DISASTER! Sarr, under absolutely no pressure, rolls the ball back to Phillips and the Charlton goalkeeper fails to control it. The ball trickles over the line in slow motion and Sunderland have an early lead through one of the most bizarre goals in playoff history!
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PENALTY APPEAL! Wyke's half-volley in the box hits an arm but the referee waves away the half-hearted penalty appeals. There is no doubt that Sunderland, who know this ground well, have settled the better of the two sides.
Sunderland had a shout from that penalty appeal - the ball clearly hit Bauer on the arm, blocking the shot from reaching the target. The lack of distance between Wyke and Bauer worked in the Charlton defender's favour.
SUNDERLAND SUB! Power is unable to shake off the knock sustained inside the opening 60 seconds and has been replaced by Morgan.
SAVE! Phillips will be feeling a lot better about himself following this save. Leadbitter's drive from 25 yards was heading for the bottom corner if not for the Charlton keeper's fine stop down to his bottom left. Good shot, even better save!
We have already had pretty much more goalmouth action in the opening 15 minutes here than in 119 minutes of yesterday's League Two playoff final. Charlton have not settled at all, not helped by the calamitous own goal early on.
Bowyer will be pleased with the way his side have started to knock the ball around over the last couple of minutes. The only good news for Charlton following the early own goal is that they still have plenty of time to respond.
The Addicks have settled over the last five minutes but they have not offered anything in an attacking sense. Fifty-eight per cent of possession has been in central midfield so far, though the onus is of course on Charlton to get it forward.
Sunderland have got to be careful that they do not drop too deep. They are inviting pressure onto themselves, with Aribo winning a free kick out of Cattermole. The set-piece from 30 yards is clipped towards the back post but Bielik is flagged for offside.
Charlton have been the side in control of the match for the best part of 10 minutes now, but they need to start making their spell on the ball count for something. McLaughlin has yet to have anything to do with a quarter of the game played.
Taylor carries the ball forward down the left but Maguire sticks with him and blocks the cross from coming in at the expense of a Charlton corner. Cullen's delivery is steered wide of the target by Bauer from 14 yards.
Leadbitter's low shot rolls through for Phillips, still coming to terms with his error early on, to collect. Sunderland have focused almost entirely on sitting back for the past 15 minutes though they may get the chance to counter.
CLOSE! This is a great opportunity for Taylor - Charlton's best of the match so far. A long ball forward is flicked on and bounces nicely for the striker to hit on the half-volley, but he cannot keep it on target. McLaughlin was happy to watch it sail over the bar.
Charlton are winning a fair few set-pieces. Cullen swings this latest wide free kick into the middle but McLaughlin gets two hands to the ball. Momentum is definitely on Athletic's side, with Sunderland unable to get out of their own half.
Another Charlton set-piece, another disappointing delivery. Clarke is unable to get his head to Cullen's cross and Sunderland are given the chance to take some of the sting out of the game. Just over half an hour played and the Black Cats still lead 1-0.
Bowyer's side are not offering enough when they get the ball into the final third. Sunderland are allowing their opponents to knock the ball around but they have to start doing something with it. Athletic have still yet to test McLaughlin.
GOAL! CHARLTON 1-1 SUNDERLAND (BEN PURRINGTON)
CHARLTON RESPOND! This is what happens when you sit back on a lead! Charlton have dominated possession over the last 20 minutes and they have a goal which, while it may not be entirely deserved, had been on the cards for a while. A one-touch move culminates in Taylor picking out Purrington at the back post for a simple tap-in.
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Phillips is the most relieved man inside Wembley following that Purrington goal. Charlton are the side on top and they are looking to add another goal to their tally before half time. Remember, we will go to extra time and penalties today if required, as was the case yesterday.
Sunderland have defended a fair few set-pieces in this first half and now they have won one of their own. It is sent into a dangerous zone but Wyke is all over Taylor in the box and a free kick is awarded to Charlton.
That Charlton has managed to wake Sunderland up. Oviedo creates some space for himself in the box but his cross is cut out for a corner by Bielik. The set-piece is taken by Leadbitter and slapped to safety by Phillips, who is now looking a lot more comfortable.
It has been an entertaining first half at Wembley. Sunderland started the half well and are ending it on top, but in-between the two goals it was Charlton who dominated possession. Can Ross's men regain their lead in the few minutes before half time?
YELLOW CARD! Sarr has a yellow card to go with his goal after blocking Honeyman's run on the edge of the box. Further punishment may follow from the free kick if Sunderland play their cards right...
SHOT! Maguire shoots from the free kick, despite the angle being against him, and he is unable to find the target. Three minutes have been added on at the end of the first half at Wembley Stadium.
HALF TIME: CHARLTON 1-1 SUNDERLAND
Charlton and Sunderland go into half time level at 1-1 following a lively opening 45 minutes. The Addicks fell behind five minutes in through a disastrous own goal from Sarr, but they responded well and equalised via Purrington 10 minutes before the interval.
Sunderland have plenty of experience at this ground, having most recently contested the EFL Trophy final here at the end of March, and it was Jack Ross's side who settled the better.
Following an early spell on top, the Black Cats were gifted a goal as Dillon Phillips failed to control Naby Sarr's back-pass and watched as the ball trickled over the line.
Charlton were rattled for the next 10 minutes and were perhaps fortunate not to concede a penalty as Charlie Wyke's shot struck
Patrick Bauer on the arm.
A good save from Phillips down to his left to keep out Grant Leadbitter acted as a turning point in many ways, though, as Athletic grew into the match and found an equaliser during their spell on top.
Lyle Taylor, who had earlier volleyed over the crossbar from a good position, teed up
Ben Purrington for a simple finish at the back post.
Bowyer will be the happier of the two managers at the interval after seeing his side respond well to their early setback. Here is a reminder of both teams' benches...
CHARLTON SUBS: Maxwell, Pearce, Forster-Caskey, Reeves, Solly, Williams, Lapslie
SUNDERLAND SUBS: Stryjek, Matthews, Gooch, McGeady, Grigg, Dunne
END OF SEASON AWARDS!
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Have your say now by clicking here.
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KICKOFF: We are back underway at Wembley Stadium! There is news of a change as Bowyer has brought on Pearce for Sarr. It appears to be a tactical tweak as Charlton are now going with a midfield diamond and two up top.
It will be interesting to see whether Ross turns to his bench following Charlton's change of shape. The two sides are just weighing each other up at the moment, with little action since play resumed for the second half.
Ozturk grabs hold of Aribo when the Charlton ace is trying to burst through on goal, but he lets go just in time to stop the referee from penalising him. It goes without saying that the next goal in this game is truly massive.
Taylor is tripped by Cattermole but the referee does not book the Sunderland midfield, which has angered Charlton boss Bowyer. There is another stoppage in play as Flanagan was caught on the head when attempting to win the ball.
Charlton are starting to turn the screw a little. Taylor is making the most of the space being afforded to him down the right, but credit to Flanagan for getting back and producing a crucial tackle on the edge of the box.
CHANCE! Sunderland's first real attacking move of the second half almost ends with their second goal being scored. Maguire picks out Morgan in the box but the unmarked substitute is unable to adjust his feet in time, sending the attempt wide.
SUNDERLAND SUB! Grigg, who has earned promotion out of League One on four previous occasions, is brought on for Maguire with an hour played at Wembley.
Sunderland appear to be going with a front two now following the arrival of Grigg. The Black Cats have struggled to create chances all afternoon pretty much, while Charlton look as though they have another goal in them.
O'Nien and Pratley clash heads and that will lead to a prolonged stoppage. The physios are on and will need to take their time - no corners can be cut when it comes to head injuries.
Pratley is quickly back on his feet and is OK to continue, but O'Nien has a fair bit of blood pouring out of his head and will need to be looked at on the side of the pitch. Ross is not prepared to make a sub so Sunderland will continue with 10 men for now.
O'Nien is still not back on the field. Word is that the Sunderland full-back has gone back to the changing room to receive some stitches, so the Black Cats will continue playing with 10 men for now. Williams has been sent to warm-up for Charlton.
YELLOW CARD! After a five or six minute absence, O'Nien is back on the field and heavily bandaged. Grigg tackles Purrington but is unfortunate to be shown a yellow card - that seems a harsh call from the referee.
There is around half an hour to go at Wembley Stadium - plenty of time for one of the players on the pitch to make themselves a hero. The second half has been a case of the two teams cancelling each other out so far, though Morgan has just got the Sunderland fans going with his run into the box.
Cattermole makes a run to the front post that is not picked up but cannot get on the end of Leadbitter's corner. In the end it hits Flanagan six yards out and deflects behind for a goal kick.
It is Sunderland's turn to turn the screw now as they pen their opponents in. Bowyer has seen enough and is about to make another change, with Williams being stripped down ready to come. Extra time is looking a strong possibility at the moment.
CHARLTON SUB! Williams, who spent time on loan with Sunderland last season, takes over from Pratley in midfield. Both managers have now used two of their changes and have one more available in the mandatory 90 minutes.
SUNDERLAND SUB! Williams is left one-on-one with his opponent down the left - never a good idea - and he cuts inside before sending in a teasing cross towards the back post. Taylor is unable to get his head to it but that shows what Williams is capable of. McGeady replaces Wyke for Sunderland.
YELLOW CARD! Williams is causing plenty of problems down the left. O'Nien has no other choice but to lunge in on the Welshman to earn himself a booking. The free kick into the middle was a good one, but Sunderland managed to scramble it clear.
Neither team has really looked like scoring in this second half, which has not really lived up to its billing. A goal now, though, with around 15 minutes to go, will surely be enough to earn promotion for one of these sides.
Leadbitter is unhappy to have been penalised for wiping out Williams, who is on a one-man mission to make something happen. The game is otherwise lacking quality at the moment and you get the impression that both sides will accept extra time.
McGeady lays the ball off to Morgan, who decides to have a go at goal from range rather than playing the return pass. That proves the wrong choice as the shot is blocked.
Morgan's driven cross could have ended anywhere but it was a Charlton player who got on the end of it first inside the box. There are less than 10 minutes to go at Wembley - which of these sides, if any, will take a gamble?
SAVE! Oviedo drifts inside from the left and is invited to shoot, which is exactly what he does. The attempt from 25 yards is pretty much straight at Phillips for a simple save. The game is starting to open up now.
YELLOW CARD! Leadbitter once again fouls Williams and this time he is shown a yellow card by the referee. Charlton need to get the ball to Williams as often as they can.
Grigg runs in behind to stretch play and lays the ball off for McGeady, who gets his effort all wrong from a long way out. There are now just five minutes to go, plus four or five minutes added time, for one of these sides to snatch a dramatic victory.
The ball just does not sit for Cattermole on the edge of the box as he is denied the chance to make himself even more of a hero. Sunderland are looking the more likely to score, though in truth neither team has really done enough to win the contest in normal time.
We are into the final minute of normal time and it is fair to say that we will play at least another 30 minutes. Neither team are looking likely to score, which has been the case pretty much even since Charlton equalised 35 minutes in.
Four minutes have been added on at the end of the match, the first of which we have already played. It is a situation that Charlton would have accepted after falling behind so early on, though they are clearly not finished yet. Williams tries to make something happen down the right but Sunderland hold firm.
YELLOW CARD! Flanagan pulls down Taylor near the corner flag and becomes the latest player to be shown a yellow card. The free kick is headed back across goal by Bauer but McLaughlin commands his box and grabs the ball with both hands.
GOAL! CHARLTON 2-1 SUNDERLAND (PATRICK BAUER)
CHARLTON WIN IT AT THE DEATH!!! For the second day running we have late drama at Wembley as Charlton have surely snatched the win right at the very end. Bauer gets something to Cullen's cross and it deflects back into his path for a second attempt, which he was never going to miss from close range. Incredible scenes!!
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FULL TIME: CHARLTON 2-1 SUNDERLAND
CHARLTON ARE PROMOTED TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP!
Yet more incredible scenes at Wembley Stadium, 24 hours on from Tranmere Rovers' last-gasp triumph against Newport County in extra time.
This game looked destined to go the distance, with neither time doing anywhere near enough to claim the victory in normal time up until the moment Bauer pounced 94 minutes in to score a truly massive goal.
Charlton are heading to the Championship after a three-year absence!
That concludes
Sports Mole's live text coverage of events from Wembley Stadium.
An on-the-whistle report can be found by clicking here, and remember there is still time to vote in our end of season awards.
We will see you again at the same time tomorrow for updates from the Championship playoff final between Derby County and Aston Villa. See you then!