Sunderland secured sixth place a Championship play-off spot as they beat Preston North End 3-0 at Deepdale on the final day of the season. Second-half goals from Amad, substitute Alex Pritchard, and Jack Clarke, gave the Black Cats the win they needed to fulfil their end of the bargain.
But they still needed help from elsewhere - either Middlesbrough to beat Coventry City, or Millwall to drop points at home to Blackburn Rovers. And, while Boro fought out a 1-1 draw against the Sky Blues, Blackburn came from 3-1 down to beat the Lions 4-3 at The Den.
Sunderland will now face Luton Town, who finished third, in the play-off semi-finals, with the first leg to be played at the Stadium of Light on Saturday (5.30pm kick-off).
