SUNDERLAND'S play-off hero Kevin Phillips has his sights set on re-writing the club's history books when he makes his Wembley debut in the First Division Final later this month. Phillips scored his ''most important goal of the season'' when he stabbed home the Wearsiders' tie-winning second against Sheffield United in the semi-final second leg at the Stadium of Light to set up a showdown with Charlton on May 25. The 39th-minute strike was his 34th of a prolific season and equalled the club's post-war record set by Brian Clough in 1961-62. Phillips now heads to the Twin Towers needing just one more to become Sunderland's top scorer since Dave Halliday hit a club record 43 in 1928-29. ''What I've achieved personally hasn't sunk in yet,'' he admitted. ''I'm just concentrating on going to Wembley and getting promotion. After that, I will sit down and think about what I have done and what I have managed this season. Obviously, my goal was important because it's the one that has taken us through. ''Every goal I've scored has been important, but the one in this game I would have to say is the most important of the season; my career in fact. It's great to be up in the same category as Brian Clough and now I've got a chance of breaking his record. It's unbelievable, really. Phillips, however, nearly wasn't on the pitch to give Sunderland their 3-2 aggregate victory, after they had lost Sunday's first leg 2-1 at Bramall Lane. The 24-year-old pulled up sharply early on with a thigh problem and looked set to hobble out of the action. He revealed: ''I was pretty close to coming off. I took a bang at the top of my left thigh and it was pretty sore. It's the sort of injury where you just need to keep moving. At half-time, I kept walking round in the dressing room because I knew if I rested it would stiffen up. The gaffer also told me if I got another one he would pull me off. ''But I was struggling towards the end, so I pulled myself off. It was agony just watching the clock tick away and such a relief when the final whistle went.'' The night's other hero was French goalkeeper Lionel Perez, whose three sensational saves in the space of 90 seconds turned the match. A fingertip stop to turn away Graham Stuart's drive was outdone by a breathtaking save from Paul Devlin's rasping goal-bound rocket moments later, before he regrouped to amazingly parry Dean Saunders' stooping header from the rebound. Phillips may have grabbed the headlines with his priceless goal, but the 24-year-old striker was quick to heap praise on the man who played such a huge part in keeping Sunderland's Premiership dreams alive: ''Lionel pulled off two world class saves. The one he kept out from Devlin was different class, I don't think I've seen anything like it. To then get up and save the rebound just goes to show he is quality.''

CHARLTON HERO NEWTON HAS SUCH HIGH HOPES   CHARLTON hero Shaun Newton believes the Addicks have got what it takes to win promotion this season and stay in the Premiership next; but he admits they will go into their First Division play-off final against Sunderland as underdogs. Newton was the toast of the Valley on Wednesday after scoring a spectacular winner against Ipswich to complete a 2-0 aggregate victory and set-up the Wembley showdown. The 22-year-old midfielder is convinced Charlton can avoid an immediate return to Nationwide action if they can first get past Peter Reid's team. I am sure we can be the surprise package in the Premiership next season, Newton said. We have played against top-flight teams in the FA Cup and I didn't feel we were out of our depth. A lot of them might expect to roll us over easily next year but we will give a good account of ourselves... if we get the chance. Newton's stunning 35th-minute strike broke Ipswich hearts and stole the headlines, but the youngster was quick to pay tribute to the rock-solid Charlton defence who have now gone an incredible nine consecutive games - a total of 13 and a half hours of action - without conceding a goal. The back four have been tremendous, especially in the second half of the season, he said. Eddie Youds has done a great job since he arrived at the club and the competition for places is now really intense. It has created a positive atmosphere at the club, which all the players have thrived on. Charlton tackle Sunderland - who are looking for a quick return to the Premiership after their relegation last season - at Wembley on May 25. The Wearsiders finished third to the Addick's fourth in the First Division table and Newton is happy to go into the match as the underdogs. I hope Sunderland go in as favourites, he said. We're more than happy for people to write us off, because it takes all the pressure away from us. It will make it a relaxing day out for the Charlton fans if we are second favourites, but the players know there is serious work to be done.

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