Sunderland's Wembley win finally brought their four-year stay in League One to an end, as the Black Cats secured promotion to the Championship. Head coach Alex Neil picked up the baton in February from Lee Johnson, and the Scot led Sunderland to their first play-off success in front of more than 46,000 red and white fans under the arch.
It was a season that also saw Sunderland reach the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup, but exit the FA Cup at the first hurdle and bow out of the EFL Trophy - which they won last season - at the second round stage. Between them, Neil and Johnson used 47 players in all competitions - the majority of them under Johnson's tenure, when the club was competing in the cup competitions alongside the league campaign.
Among them were breakout stars from the club's academy, such as Dan Neil and Anthony Patterson, loan stars such as Nathan Broadhead and Callum Doyle, and quality signings such as Alex Pritchard, Corry Evans, and Patrick Roberts. There were also a handful of players who fell short of expectations, with Jermain Defoe's much-trumpeted return to the club fallling flat.
READ MORE: Sunderland step out of the League One darkness as new heroes are made at Wembley
Collectively, the squad achieved its goal - promotion - but here's how our Sunderland AFC writer James Hunter rated their contributions.
Patrick Almond C
Just one outing in the EFL Trophy against Man U U21, and the young defender did OK. Joined Blyth on loan for the second half of the season.
Frederik Alves D
The West Ham defender did alright in the cups but could not break into the starting XI in the league and it was no surprise when his season-long loan stay was cut short in January.
Danny Batth B-
The experienced centre-back joined from Stoke in January and, after taking time to settle, came to the fore in the run-in and play-offs as part of a back line that was tightened up by Alex Neil.
Nathan Broadhead A-
On-loan Everton forward had injury problem, but still ended up with 13 goals in all competitions - including some crucial strikes which helped Sunderland secure a play-off place.
Lee Burge C+
Started the season as first choice before losing his place to Hoffmann. Performed well in the cups, notably at QPR in the Carabao, but spent almost half the season as back-up before Covid-related illness effectively ruled him out for the second half of the campaign.
Jacob Carney C
Young goalkeeper looked promising in an inexperienced Sunderland side against his old club Manchester United in the EFL Trophy.
Dennis Cirkin B
Slow start from the summer signing from Spurs and had a spell out with a hernia problem, but came back strongly and was used at wingback and as a left-sided centre-back by Alex Neil.
Jack Clarke B-
Brought in on loan from Spurs in the summer, Clarke offered an extra option down the left flank and also spent some time at wingback. Stood out in the play-off semi-final second leg at Sheffield Wednesday.
Leon Dajaku C-
The on-loan Union Berlin winger scored a couple of good goals and showed good potential but struggled to pin down a regular place in the side. Picked up an illness which meant he faded from the scene in the final couple of months of the season. Has the potential to improve
Jermain Defoe E+
A gamble that backfired. The 39-year-old striker was a Wearside hero after his first spell at the club, but when he rejoined Sunderland on deadline day in January he had played only nine minutes of football at Rangers all season and it showed. Just 53 days after his arrival, having made two starts and five substitute appearances, he hung up his boots and retired in late March.
Jack Diamond C-
A peripheral figure at the start of the season before making a loan move to Harrogate Town, where he enjoyed a successful campaign and was named the club's Players' Player of the Year.
Callum Doyle B+
The on-loan teenager from Manchester City was a regular in central defence. Still raw and with a lot to learn, but looked comfortable on the ball and showed real potential. Looked fatigued mid-season, but that was due to over-use.
Ciaran Dunne C-
Only outing came in the disappointing EFL Trophy defeat against Oldham, but injuries meant he has made the bench a few times.
Tyrese Dyce C+
Bright when utilised in a couple of EFL Trophy games, and scored in the win against Manchester United U21.
Elliot Embleton A-
The academy graduate added a dash of craft to the midfield and also chipped in with some crucial goals, not least his strike at Wembley that set the Black Cats on the road to victory against Wycombe. This was the season where he really proved his worth to Sunderland.
Corry Evans B+
Reborn under Alex Neil, Evans was Sunderland's most improved player in the second half of the season by a mile after injuries had hampered him in the first half of the campaign. His steadying influence and knowhow in midfield was invaluable in the run-in and play-offs.
Tom Flanagan B
Was a regular in central defence in the first half of the season, which made his January departure to Shrewsbury a major surprise. Flanagan was having a decent season until his exit.
Lynden Gooch B
Found himself playing in a variety of different roles, including wingback, full-back, midfield, and wide forward, which made life difficult, but while some of those roles suited him better than others he has always given his best.
Will Grigg E-
Played 25 minutes of the Carabao Cup win at Port Vale, and was soon shipped out to Rotherham on loan. His two-and-a-half year spell at Sunderland has been dreadful, but he is out of contract this summer and will not be returning to Wearside.
Will Harris C
High on potential but short on experience, the young striker has made a few appearances in the EFL Trophy and a couple of substitute outings in the league. Spent the second half of the season on loan at Barrow.
Josh Hawkes C+
A star for the U23s last season, the versatile forward deserved more of a chance this term. Instead he played, and scored in, one Carabao Cup game before being sent out on loan to Tranmere, subsequently signing on a permanent deal in January.
Thorben Hoffmann C+
The on-loan Bayern Munich goalkeeper spent the first half of the season as first-choice, but ended up playing second-fiddle to Anthony Patterson. Hoffmann did OK, but was not a noticeable upgrade on either Burge or Anthony Patterson.
Niall Huggins C+
Injuries wrecked his first season on Wearside, with the summer signing from Leeds having just hit form when he suffered a back injury, and as he recovered from that he picked up a heel problem. Ended up playing only four games, and none since September.
Denver Hume C
Injury and a contract wrangle delayed his involvement and he was used only sparingly before being sold to Portsmouth in January.
Trai Hume C+
The young defender joined from Northern Ireland side Linfield in January and, while he has only made a handful of appearances so far, he has shown signs of potential. Made his senior Northern Ireland debut in March.
Zak Johnson C
Blink-and-you'll miss it late substitute appearance for the 17-year-old in the EFL Trophy against Manchester United U21.
Ethan Kachosa C
Another youngster whose only involvement has been in the EFL Trophy, making two substitute appearances totalling 65 minutes.
Caden Kelly C
Injury-time sub in that EFL trophy game against Manchester United U21.
Benji Kimpioka D
Did not impress in a loan spell at Southend, and has not made much of an impact since he returned to Wearside. Left Sunderland in April to return to his native Sweden, where he joined AIK on a permanent deal.
Aiden McGeady C+
Not at his best early in the season, and did not play again after suffering a knee ligament injury in November. Ended up with three goals and four assists in what could well be his final season at Sunderland.
Jay Matete B-
Joined from Fleetwood in January to bring some extra energy to midfield. Has been in and out of the side but has done enough to suggest he will be a decent addition.
Dan Neil A-
Academy product Neil has been a star in his breakthrough season. The midfielder was a regular in the first half of the season but his form dipped a little and since then he has been used only sparingly by Neil.
Aiden O'Brien C+
Could not pin down a place in the side in the league, but he came into his own in the Carabao Cup run and scored a memorable hat-trick at Blackpool. Left to join Portsmouth in January.
Luke O'Nien B-
A solid performer alongside in midfield before undergoing shoulder surgery which kept him out for an extended spell. Returned in March and has been a consistent performer in the run-in and play-off campaign.
Anthony Patterson A-
The academy product made a couple of appearances in the league and another couple in the Carabao Cup before being allowed to join Notts County on loan. Recalled in January and from February onwards he was first-choice goalkeeper, growing in confidence with every game. Excellent in the play-off final, and has earned the right to start next season as number one.
Alex Pritchard A
Joined last summer but missed out on pre-season and took him time to find his feet, but once he got going he was outstanding in the number ten role and has shown his Premier League class. One of the division's best players, he was man of the match in the play-off final.
Kenton Richardson C+
Some decent displays from the young full-back in the EFL Trophy, before joining Spennymoor on loan.
Patrick Roberts B
Arrived from Manchester City in January and has shown flashes of the skill that saw him dubbed 'mini-Messi' at the Etihad. Had played very little football this season before he arrived, but he came to the fore in the play-offs and it was his goal at Sheffield Wednesday that took Sunderland to Wembley.
Tom Scott C
Did OK in that Manchester United U21 EFL Trophy game.
Harrison Sohna C+
Stepped up from the U23s and looked good in midfield in the EFL Trophy.
Ross Stewart A+
An ever-present in the league, the Scot ended the campaign with 24 goals which made him runner-up in the League One goalscoring table, and added two more in the play-offs - including one at Wembley. He gave the attack a focal point, and his mobility and willingness to run the channels endeared him to the fans, earning him the nickname 'Loch Ness Drogba'. An outstanding first full season in English football.
Ellis Taylor C
Played a handful of games in the EFL Trophy and Carabao Cup and the young midfielder did OK.
Stephen Wearne C+
Scored a couple of goals in the EFL Trophy before joining Torquay United on loan in January.
Carl Winchester A
One of the candidates for player of the season, Winchester has had an excellent campaign. He has played at wingback, full-back, as a central defender, and in his natural midfield, and has impressed in each role. Sad for him that injury ruled him out of the play-offs.
Bailey Wright B
Started the season on the bench but since breaking into the side he looked back to his best, whether at centre-back or right-back. Was a regular starter in the final months of the season and was one of the Wembley heroes, despite having suffered with a sickness bug in the run-up to the final.
Arbenit Xhemajli C
The defender has been eased back into action after a year out with a serious knee injury. Made only a handful of appearances but did OK.
Ollie Younger C+
The 22-year-old defender looked good in the EFL Trophy and Carabao Cup and was included on the bench in the league numerous times. Joined Doncaster on a permanent basis in January.
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