Jobe Bellingham took a wipe to the Sky Sports experts who doubted whether the youngsters of Sunderland had the minerals for promotion.
The Black Cats arrived in the Wembley showdown after the back of Horror League form that lost five on the jump.
They saw Frankard's Coventry in the semi-final to face Sheffield, united the play-off final.
And Bellingham & Co had to come from behind to win 2-1 with Academy graduate Tom Watson scored a 95th minute's winner.
Regis Le Bris has put confidence this season in his youthful team, with Bellingham only 19, Chris Rigg, only 17 and Eliezer Mayenda, 20.
It had led to questions about their experience – but the players talked on the field.
And Bellingham said: “I have always believed, you have to believe.
“If you have such supporters and such a group of boys, you always have to believe.
“I have always believed and I know that people doubted us and that is understandable, we have lost a few games, people talk about Momentum.
“But I think we have done enough, we have shown enough for people the entire season to give us at least a bit of credit that go into the play-offs.
“The typical” inexperienced “because of all the ex-pros who speak on Sky, but we have just proven that it doesn't matter.
“Of course you need experience with young people such as at Sunderland, you play a lot of games that you get that experience.
“You get experience by failing and we have failed together so often and we will finally be fine.”
Sky Pundits Curtis Davies and Jobi Mcanuff subsequently investigated Bellingham for what ex-pro criticized them.
But he said with a smile, “I didn't say criticize!”
Sunderland is now back in the Premier League for the first time since 2017.
And Bellingham said: “I was part of this great team, so every player has made a name for me here. So really proud.”