Sunderland AFC’s winning return to the Premier League came with some spiritual backing, after the club’s chaplain blessed the Stadium of Light pitch before kick-off.

Ahead of the Black Cats’ 3–0 victory over West Ham, parish priest and team chaplain Fr Marc Lyden-Smith sprinkled holy water over the technical area.

In a video shared on X titled "A prayer for Sunderland", he prayed: "God in Heaven, we ask for your blessing on #Sunderland football club at the start of this new season...We pray for all our fans spread all over the world, especially those that gathered as a family in faith, they may roar with joy and cheer in victory, always supporting our players with passion and pride." 

Fr Lyden-Smith has a history of seeking heavenly help for the club.

In 2013, he gifted Pope Francis a Sunderland shirt, later remarking: “He wasn’t picking sides but I did ask him to pray for Sunderland and he said that he would.”