---
title: "Sunderland: Journalist lauds Alex Pritchard’s play-off final display"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/alex-pritchard-praise-phil-smith-sunderland-wycombe-play-off-final/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Daniel Clubbe"
section: "League One News"
published: "2022-05-22T08:35:10Z"
modified: "2022-05-22T08:35:10Z"
---

# Sunderland: Journalist lauds Alex Pritchard’s play-off final display

**Journalist Phil Smith has sung the praises of Alex Pritchard after [Sunderland](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sunderland-afc-news/) were promoted to the Championship on Saturday afternoon.**

### The lowdown: Sunderland promoted

The Black Cats overcame a resilient Wycombe Wanderers to return to the second tier of English football, having won the League One play-off final 2-0 at Wembley.

Elliot Embleton opened the scoring for Alex Neil’s side before Ross Stewart doubled the advantage just 10 minutes before full-time in London as Sunderland ended a four-year spell in the third tier of English football.

After the match, in a performance full of impressive outings from the Wearsiders, Smith was full of praise for one man’s standout display in particular…

### The latest: Pritchard praised

Compiling the player ratings for the [Sunderland Echo](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/terrific-phil-smiths-sunderland-player-ratings-after-elliot-embleton-and-ross-stewart-goals-in-league-one-play-off-final-against-wycombe-3703868?page=3), the outlet’s chief SAFC writer awarded the 29-year-old a nine out of 10 rating.

Pritchard was hailed for his ‘excellent’ positional awareness and ‘superb work rate’, whilst also providing the [assists for both goals](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/spielbericht/index/spielbericht/3816102) at Wembley.

The midfielder completed five of his nine crosses, won six duels and made four key passes and three clearances during an 81-minute outing which earned a match-high 8.10 [Sofascore](https://www.sofascore.com/wycombe-wanderers-sunderland/Qsmb) rating.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”350925″\]

### The verdict: ‘What a moment’

Ultimately, Pritchard’s performance and indeed the day were summed up in Smith’s final line – ‘what a moment’. This day had been a long time coming for Sunderland supporters, and to do it in such style was an ideal way to finally seal promotion.

\[freshpress-poll id=”391331″\]

Former England under-21 international Pritchard has been sensational throughout the campaign, with [four goals and 14 assists](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/alex-pritchard/leistungsdaten/spieler/200777), and he played a fitting role in the win which ensured that Neil’s side will bring Championship football back to the Stadium of Light for 2022/23.

Attention can now turn to Neil’s transfer business both in terms of incomings and outgoings over the coming weeks and months, and the 29-year-old is almost nailed-on to remain an integral part of Sunderland’s Championship plans after his Wembley heroics.

***In other news: [‘Toxic’ – Sky Sports expert rips into Donald and Methven after Sunderland takeover development](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sunderland-afc-news/sunderland-finance-experts-slams-toxic-donald-and-methven/)***