Kevin Phillips: Striker recalls Championship play-off final agony and ecstasy

Charlton Athletic 4-4 Sunderland (25 May 1998)

Phillips had enjoyed a spectacular breakthrough season after joining Sunderland the previous summer for a bargain £325,000 from Watford.

He had netted 33 goals in a deadly partnership with Niall Quinn as the Black Cats were only pipped for automatic promotion on the final day.

Phillips grabbed the winner in the play-off semi-final against… wait for it…. yes, Sheffield United, at an electric Stadium of Light to take Sunderland to Wembley where they were up against Alan Curbishley’s Addicks.

What unfolded was an absolute classic.

Charlton led once and Sunderland three times but, after eight goals and 120 gruelling minutes, including a hat-trick from Sunderland-raised Charlton striker and boyhood Black Cats fan Clive Mendonca, the two teams could not be separated.

And it took the 14th spot-kick to find a fall guy as Michael Gray’s penalty was saved by Sasa Ilic and Charlton were promoted.

Phillips had scored one of the Black Cats’ goals but, struggling with cramp, he had to be substituted early and could only watch on as his promotion dream fell short.

“The game typified how teams played back then,” he recalls. “We’re going for it, we’re not going to be cagey and sit in.

“That’s how we played. Back to front, get it wide, get balls in the box and Charlton weren’t too dissimilar.

“We knew deep down it would be entertaining, but not eight goals and a penalty shootout!

“I don’t think there have been too many finals like that since.”