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LONDON, April 23 - Sunderland won promotion back
to the Premier League after they beat Leicester City 2-1 and
promotion rivals Ipswich Town were held to a 1-1 draw at Leeds
United on Saturday.
Sunderland's victory gave them 88 points with two games to
go, five ahead of second-placed Wigan, and meant they cannot now
be caught by third-placed Ipswich, who have 81.
Sunderland, relegated from the top flight in 2003, had an
early scare on Saturday when Alan Maybury put Leicester ahead
after five minutes.
They drew level with a low shot by Marcus Stewart after 23
minutes and went ahead when Steven Caldwell headed in from a
corner on the hour.
The fans in the Stadium of Light then had a nervous wait to
hear the result from Leeds, where news of their draw with
Ipswich confirmed Sunderland's promotion.
Wigan's goalless home draw against Queens Park Rangers means
they are still favourites to take the other automatic promotion
place ahead of Ipswich, who would head into the play-offs.
At the other end of the table Nottingham Forest are hanging
on after their 1-0 home win over Burnley prevented their
immediate relegation.
However, the former double European champions remain
favourites for the drop as they are still four points adrift of
safety with only two games left.
Sunderland have spent the past 10 years yo-yoing between the
top flight and the second tier of English football.
Always well-supported, with home game attendances ranging
from 25,000 to nearly 35,000 this season, Sunderland's promotion
has been orchestrated by former Ireland manager Mick McCarthy.
"It's exciting, it's what we've been striving for," McCarthy
told Sky Sports News.
"The players have been outstanding, we should enjoy the
moment."
McCarthy, formerly an uncompromising centre half for Ireland
and Millwall, admitted to shedding a tear.
"I was as emotional as anyone and when that result came
through from Leeds I was crying, yes," he said.
"We've earned the right to have a go at it (the Premier
League). I've got a different group of guys going into the
league than those who went down.
"It's a huge pleasure, a relief and delight with a group of
players who have come in and set the place on fire."
With two games to go he now wants to secure the
championship.
"The lads all want a medal and we want the championship
trophy," he said.