While the dismal ending to the previous season, combined with losses in their opening two matches lead to fears that Sunderland might spend the season battling a second successive relegation, a run of 7 wins from their next 10 matches quickly ended any such fears. A couple of spells of indifferent form meant that the club didn't convincingly challenge for automatic promotion until the closing stages of the season, and then another poor run of form in the season's closing stages, including the loss of a six-pointer to fellow promotion hopefuls West Bromwich Albion, just as quickly ended any such hopes. Sunderland were still considered favourites going into the play-offs, but a loss on penalties to Crystal Palace, who had gate-crashed the play-offs on the final day of the season, meant a second season in Division One (or, as it would be re-branded the following season, the Championship).
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
The following players did not appear for the first-team this season.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
^Haas was born inVienna,Austria, but also qualified to representSwitzerland internationally and made his international debut forSwitzerland in 1996.
^Kilbane was born inPreston,England, but also qualified to represent theRepublic of Ireland internationally through his parents and represented them at U-21 level before making his international debut forRepublic of Ireland in September 1997.
^Whitley was born inNdola,Zambia, but was raised inEngland and also qualified to representNorthern Ireland internationally through his father. He represented England at U-17 level and Northern Ireland at U-21 level before making his international debut forNorthern Ireland in 1997.
^Oster was born inBoston,England, but also qualified to representWales internationally and represented them at U-18 and U-21 level before making his international debut forWales in 1997.
^Ingham was born inPreston,England, but also qualified to representNorthern Ireland internationally and represented them at U-18 and U-21 level before making his international debut forNorthern Ireland in June 2005.
^Byfield was born inSutton Coldfield,England, but also qualified to representJamaica internationally and made his international debut forJamaica in 2003.
Jeff Whitley
Manchester City
Gary Breen
Darren Byfield
Carl Robinson
