Sky Sports forced to apologise for X-rated interview after Sunderland beat Sheffield United
Sky Sports found itself issuing a live apology after an emotionally charged post-match interview with Sunderland’s teenage sensation Tommy Watson took an unexpected turn. The 19-year-old forward, who recently secured a summer move to Brighton & Hove Albion, was the hero of the day as his stoppage-time strike sealed Sunderland’s dramatic return to the Premier League.
The Black Cats, managed by Regis Le Bris, produced a stunning late comeback to defeat Sheffield United 2-1 in a tense play-off final. Trailing for much of the match, Sunderland flipped the script in the dying moments of the game, with goals from Eliezer Mayenda and Watson turning despair into ecstasy for the Wearside club.
Sheffield United had taken the lead midway through the first half when Tyrese Campbell delicately chipped the ball over Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson. The Blades thought they had doubled their advantage shortly after when Harrison Burrows fired home a brilliant volley, but the goal was ruled out due to interference from Vinicius Souza, keeping the Black Cats within touching distance.
As the match reached its climax, Mayenda ignited Sunderland’s hopes with a superb solo goal to level the score. But it was Watson who etched his name into club folklore just minutes later. Pouncing on a wayward pass from Kieffer Moore, the young forward took a touch, used a defender as a screen, and curled a sublime effort past Michael Cooper into the bottom corner. The goal sent the Stadium of Light faithful into raptures, securing the club’s promotion to the top flight for the first time in years.
After the final whistle, Watson was invited for a live post-match interview with Sky Sports, visibly overcome by the moment. While reflecting on his unforgettable winner and the club’s promotion, Watson let slip a raw and explicit outburst of joy. “I think my celebration said it all, I can’t really put it into words to be honest, just look around us,” he began, before adding, “It’s f*ing… unbelievable.”
Realizing the slip, the Sky Sports presenter swiftly stepped in to apologise on air, saying, “We must apologise for the language that you’ve used. We understand that you are emotional.” The broadcaster’s professionalism ensured the situation was handled quickly, even as fans watching at home witnessed the unfiltered excitement of the moment.
Watson, who is set to join Premier League side Brighton in the upcoming transfer window, continued the interview with a reflective tone, revealing how much the occasion meant to him. “I have been thinking about it for weeks,” he admitted. “I think it was written—the story was written the moment I came off the bench. I couldn’t have pictured it any better to be honest.”
He described the decisive moment in detail: “I got closed down and just saw a little gap. I used the defender to screen the shot and just bent it into the bottom corner.”
For Sunderland fans, the dramatic victory marked the end of a long and difficult journey back to the Premier League. For Watson, it was a fairytale send-off—scoring the goal that secured promotion before beginning a new chapter in his career with Brighton.
Though the interview may have included some colourful language, few could fault the passion and raw emotion of a young player living out a dream. It was a night Sunderland supporters—and Tommy Watson himself—will never forget.