Sunderland won promotion back to the Championship in style in front of 46,000 strong members of the red and white army. The Black Cats support overwhelmed the travelling Wycombe contingent and it spurred them on in the opening stages of the game.
Sunderland had not won any of their previous play-off attempts and Wycombe were successful in their last Wembley outing with a 2-1 win over Oxford United back in 2020. The Wearsiders had ended their Wembley hoodoo that haunted their previous trips to the capital last season with a win in the Papa John's Trophy final, but that was in front of no fans.
The turnover of players in the summer meant that just two players - Lynden Gooch and Luke O'Nien - were in the starting line-ups on both occasions. Alex Neil made just one change from the win over Sheffield Wednesday with Elliot Embleton replacing Jack Clarke, and what a decision that was.
READ MORE: Sunderland 2-0 Wycombe Wanderers LIVE
Here's Matty Hewitt's key talking points from the 2-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers.
Elliot Embleton call
It's almost a year to the day that Sunderland fans were questioning the decision to send Embleton out on loan to Blackpool. The midfielder was a key part in the Tangerines' promotion to the Championship and was one of the standout performers under the Wembley arch.
The decision to bring him in from the cold was a masterstroke from Alex Neil. The Sunderland academy graduate is building up quite the reputation for scoring on a big occasion and he did just that.
Embleton pounced on a loose ball just inside the Sunderland half and the pitch opened up for him to drive into. He carried the ball 25 yards towards the Wycombe goal and fired a fierce, but simple, effort towards David Stockdale who made a complete mess of it.
The Sunderland midfielder's versatility is something that's often overlooked. His endeavour to get back in and support Dennis Cirkin in a tough battle deserves immense credit.
Wycombe's overload on Dennis Cirkin and Embleton's side
Wycombe have a reputation for being direct but they're extremely effective at it. Sunderland stood up well to the test in the first-half but the Chairboys game plan was there to see.
Jason McCarthy pushed up high from right-back to help create an overload on the right alongside Gareth McCleary. Dennis Cirkin dealt well with the aerial threat that came his way, but Embleton also covered a great deal of ground to help the Black Cats full-back.
Overloading Cirkin was an area that Gareth Ainsworth's side must have identified in the build-up but as for the opening 45 minutes, they were unable to create any clearcut chances down the right. The majority of their balls into the box came from that side but Patterson gathered well.
Cirkin picked up a yellow card immediately after the restart and could maybe count himself lucky to still be on the pitch. A late challenge just a minute after picking up the booking saw Wycombe players protest for a red card.
Referee Hooper was not interested. Momentum began to shift in the tie when Embleton was substituted for Jack Clarke. The Spurs loanee was introduced to give Sunderland more attacking impetus but at times, left Cirkin exposed.
'Loch Ness Drogba'
If Sunderland were going to win promotion back to the Championship this season, they would need to find a way to replace Charlie Wyke's goals from last season. Boy have they done that.
Lee Johnson brought Ross Stewart to the club in the January transfer window and the Scot has gone from strength to strength since making the move to the Stadium of Light. Injuries meant it took the former Ross County man time to get up to speed, but a goal on his debut at Accrington gave fans a glimpse of what would follow this season.
The 25-year-old scored the second goal of the afternoon to all but secure Sunderland's Championship status next season. His rise from non-league in Scotland has been meteoric and his international call-up was nothing short of what he's deserved.
Alex Neil can take pride in Sunderland's promotion
Credit where credit is due, Sunderland's board made the correct call in appointing Alex Neil. There was plenty of finger pointing in the aftermath of the Roy Keane managerial debacle but the Scot has restored pride and transformed Sunderland into a side that the city can finally be proud of.
Neil kicked and headed every ball on the touchline at Wembley, roaring on instructions from the opening minute to the last. The Black Cats have found ways to win games, where previously, they have fallen well short.
The head coach may not have been the supporters' first choice, but they'll be singing his name on the streets of Sunderland tonight. His steely resolve and managerial approach is exactly what the Black Cats have needed to guide them back to the Championship.
The Sunderland players threw their bodies on the line all afternoon and their workman like display is testament to their head coach. They're in safe hands next year in the Championship.
