2008–09 Sunderland A.F.C. season


The 2008–09 season was the 112th season in Sunderland A.F.C.'s history and 104th in the league system of English football.

Background

In preparation for their Premier League campaign, Sunderland spent around £40,000,000 in the 2007–08 season. Signings included the club's record signing of Craig Gordon for £9,000,000, Michael Chopra for £5,000,000, and Kieran Richardson for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £5,500,000. Roy Keane began his managerial tenure in the Premier League with a win over Tottenham Hotspur through a last minute goal from Michael Chopra. In an attempt to bolster their goalscoring chances, Sunderland signed Kenwyne Jones from Southampton for £6,000,000. The club came close to their first Tyne-Wear derby victory at home in 17 years when they drew with Newcastle United. They had taken the lead before half time, but Shola Ameobi equalised an hour into the game. Michael Chopra missed the opportunity to win the game by heading the ball onto the crossbar.
A tribute was paid to 1973 FA Cup Final goalscorer Ian Porterfield in a game against Reading. Sunderland marked the occasion by winning 2–1. A win over Aston Villa sparked a three-game winning streak, when Sunderland overcame West Ham United and Fulham to extend their lead over the relegation area. They sealed their Premier League safety in a 3–2 win over local rivals Middlesbrough through a 90th-minute goal from Daryl Murphy. They finished the season in fifteenth place, on 39 points.

Match results

Legend

Pre-season

Premier League

League table

Results summary

Results per matchday

GameDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorersNotes
116 August 2008LiverpoolHome0–143,259
223 August 2008Tottenham HotspurAway2–136,064Richardson, Cissé
331 August 2008Manchester CityHome0–339,622
413 September 2008Wigan AthleticAway1–118,015Bramble
520 September 2008MiddlesbroughHome2–038,388Chopra
627 September 2008Aston VillaAway1–238,706Cissé
74 October 2008ArsenalHome1–140,199Leadbitter
818 October 2008FulhamAway0–025,116
925 October 2008Newcastle UnitedHome2–147,936Cissé, Richardson
1029 October 2008Stoke CityAway0–126,731
111 November 2008ChelseaAway0–541,693
128 November 2008PortsmouthHome1–237,712Cissé
1315 November 2008Blackburn RoversAway2–121,798Jones, Cissé
1423 November 2008West Ham UnitedHome0–135,222
1529 November 2008Bolton WanderersHome1–435,457Cissé
166 December 2008Manchester UnitedAway0–175,400
1713 December 2008West Bromwich AlbionHome4–036,280Jones, Andy Reid, Cissé
1820 December 2008Hull CityAway4–124,917Malbranque, Zayatte, Jones, Cissé
1926 December 2008Blackburn RoversHome0–044,680
2028 December 2008EvertonAway0–339,146
2110 January 2009MiddlesbroughAway1–129,310Jones
2217 January 2009Aston VillaHome1–240,350Collins
2327 January 2009FulhamHome1–036,539Jones
241 February 2009NewcastleAway1–152,084Cissé
257 February 2009Stoke CityHome2–038,350Jones, Healy
2621 February 2009ArsenalAway0–060,104
273 March 2009LiverpoolAway0–241,587
288 March 2009Tottenham HotspurHome1–137,894Richardson
2914 March 2009Wigan AthleticHome1–239,266Leadbitter
3022 March 2009Manchester CityAway0–143,017
314 April 2009West Ham UnitedAway0–234,761
3211 April 2009Manchester UnitedHome1–245,408Jones
3318 April 2009Hull CityHome1–042,855Cissé
3425 April 2009West Bromwich AlbionAway0–326,256
353 May 2009EvertonHome0–241,313
369 May 2009Bolton WanderersAway0–024,005
3718 May 2009PortsmouthAway1–320,398Jones
3824 May 2009ChelseaHome2–342,468Richardson, Jones

FA Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorersNotes
33 January 2009Bolton WanderersHome2–120,685Jones, Cissé
424 January 2009Blackburn RoversHome0–022,634
44 February 2009Blackburn RoversAway1–2
10,112Healy

League Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorersNotes
227 August 2008Nottingham ForestAway2–1 9,198Bardsley, Healy
323 September 2008Northampton TownHome2–2
4–3
21,082Stokes
412 November 2008Blackburn RoversHome1–218,555Jones

Players

First-team squad

Left club during season

Statistics

Appearances and goals

! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Goalkeepers
! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Defenders
! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Midfielders
! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Forwards
! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Players transferred out during the season

Goal scorers

Transfers

In

Out

Loans in

Loans out