TWO Premier League stars cheered on old club Sunderland in an epic play-off – as fans wished at least one of them was on the pitch rather than in the stands.
winger and s England keeper watched the home Championship semi-final second leg with Coventry.
Diallo’s Red Devils team-mate had also gone back to his roots 24 hours earlier – to watch his home-town first club Sheffield United book their place at Wembley.
There will be two jackpots at stake for winning the Championship final – a spot ion the Premier League of course, but around £200million all for making it.
Diallo, 22, was a popular and exciting loan hit for the Black Cats in 2022-23.
And Pickford, 31, spent the first six years of his career at local club Sunderland, albeit with six temporary spells away before Everton pounced in 2017.
But it was spotting Diallo that appeared to rouse Black Cats supporters more.
One posted: “Has Amad brought his boots?”;;
Another wrote: “Amad Diallo was among those in attendance.”;;
Many others noted the duo were there – with Diallo in a black cap and jacket and Pickford wore a polo shirt.
Both were seen looking almost as nervous as the fans – before the tie went into extra time.
Coventry wideman Ephron Mason-Clark had steered the only goal of normal time in the 76th-minute – making the aggregate score 2-2.
Diallo is preparing for a tense finale to the season himself.
The Ivorian has a Europa League Final to look forward to next week against Tottenham and is no stranger to the Championship play-offs.
He suffered heartbreak in them against Luton two years ago when his impressive season-long loan stint at Sunderland came to a painful end.
Diallo remains a firm favourite with the Black Cats faithful after his 14 goals and four assists from his 42 appearances.
And the North East club still holds a strong place in his heart as he regularly shows his support via social media.
Diallo even sent Sunderland a message ahead of Tuesday’s crunch clash.
The club posted highlights from a 2-1 win over Luton from 2023 in which Diallo opened the scoring.
Spotting it, the attacker shared the post to his story and captioned it with the loving eyes emoji to show his backing for them.
Diallo was one of a host of players and former fan favourites that took part in a guard of honour before kick off.
And that was former 1973 FA Cup-winning hero Jim Montgomery to walk through before the club revealed that the Stadium of Light’s West Stand was being renamed after the iconic goalkeeper.
Legendary striker Jermain Defoe was also at the Stadium of Light – notably signing autographs before kick-off.
But it was current top-flight heroes Diallo and Pickford who got the attention online.
“Jordan Pickford and Amad Diallo both at SoL tonight to watch #SAFC,”;; said one.
Another played it straight too.
He posted: “Amad Diallo was among those in attendance for the Championship play-off match between Sunderland and Coventry City at the Stadium of Light.”;;
