Sunderland defender, Trai Hume is proud to “have proved a lot of people wrong,” as the Black Cats qualified for 2026-27 UEFA Europa League.
Sunderland began the final day of the Premier League season sat 10th in need of a win against fellow European qualification, Chelsea, and for Brighton and Brentford to both slip up elsewhere.
Hume proceeded to net the Black Cats’ opener with a 25th-minute volley from Luke O’Nien’s flicked header before Malo Gusto’s own-goal sealed victory, despite Cole Palmer’s consolatory effort for the Blues as Sunderland did a first league double over Chelsea since 2000-01 season.
Brighton meanwhile suffered a 3-0 home defeat to Manchester United and Brentford drew 1-1 at Liverpool, which allowed Sunderland to leap up to seventh in the final standings and claim the second Europa League qualification spot in just their first season back in the top flight.
“I can’t put it into words, to be honest,” explained Hum as he spoke to safc.com post-match about their achievement and reflected on their hard graft to silence doubters who had them odds-on for immediate relegation back to the Championship.
“We have fully deserved it all season because we have worked our socks off throughout the year. When we first came up, nobody gave us a shot, but here we are in the Europa League.
“We have proved a lot of people wrong, so there is nothing better.”
Hume has spent four-and-a-half years on Wearside in front of what he calls an “amazing” home crowd as he proceeded to admit that he believed that the first goal was crucial to their win and unbelievable Europa League qualification.
“The first goal is always key and I knew if we scored first, then we’d win the game no matter what. Our fans are behind us every step of the way.
“It has been a whirlwind of a journey at this Club.
“If you’d told me four years ago that I’d be here in the Europa League, I wouldn’t have believed you.”
Hume also acknowledged everyone at the club who has contributed to their success since his arrival from Linfield in January 2022.
“It is a credit to the owner, the staff and the players throughout the years,” continued Hume.
“You have always got to improve and that comes from working hard every single day and seeing where that takes us.”
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