2008–09 Sunderland A.F.C. season

{{main|2007–08 Sunderland A.F.C. season}}

{{see also|History of Sunderland A.F.C.|List of Sunderland A.F.C. seasons}}

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,{{cite web|url=http://www.safc.com/news/?page_id=12855|title=Cats land £9m Gordon|author=Martin Walker|date=7 August 2007|publisher=Sunderland A.F.C.|access-date=14 February 2009}} Michael Chopra for £5,000,000,{{cite web|url=http://www.safc.com/news/?page_id=1662|title=Chopra seals £5m Cats move|author=Martin Walker|date=12 July 2007|publisher=Sunderland A.F.C.|access-date=14 February 2009}} and Kieran Richardson for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £5,500,000.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/6901589.stm|title=Sunderland sign winger Richardson|date=16 July 2007|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=14 February 2009}} Roy Keane began his managerial tenure in the Premier League with a win over Tottenham Hotspur through a last minute goal from Michael Chopra.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6931064.stm|title=Sunderland 1-0 Tottenham|first=Andrew |last=McKenzie|date=11 August 2007|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=14 February 2009}} In an attempt to bolster their goalscoring chances, Sunderland signed Kenwyne Jones from Southampton for £6,000,000.{{cite web|url=http://www.safc.com/news/?page_id=13052|title=Keane pays £6m for Jones|author=Nick Alexander|date=29 August 2007|publisher=Sunderland A.F.C.|access-date=14 February 2008}} 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 James Milner equalised an hour into the game. Michael Chopra missed the opportunity to win the game by heading the ball onto the crossbar.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7076643.stm|title=Sunderland 1-1 Newcastle|author=Phil McNulty|date=10 November 2007|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=14 February 2009}}

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.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6984883.stm|title=Sunderland 2-1 Reading|author=Jonathan Stevenson|date=15 September 2008|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=14 February 2009}} A win over Aston Villa sparked a three-game winning streak,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7298167.stm|title=Aston Villa 0-1 Sunderland|author=Phil McNulty|date=22 March 2008|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=14 February 2009}} when Sunderland overcame West Ham United and Fulham to extend their lead over the relegation area.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7309366.stm|title=Sunderland 2-1 West Ham|author=Sarah Holt|date=29 March 2008|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=14 February 2009}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7320183.stm|title=Fulham 1-3 Sunderland|author=Chris Whyatt|date=5 April 2008|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=14 February 2009}} They sealed their Premier League safety in a 3–2 win over local rivals Middlesbrough through a 90th-minute goal from Daryl Murphy.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7356054.stm|title=Sunderland 3-2 Middlesbrough|author=Julian Taylor|date=26 April 2008|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=14 February 2009}} They finished the season in fifteenth place, on 39 points.{{cite web|url=http://www.safc.com/match/?page_id=2609&team=39&season=2007-2008|title=League Table|publisher=Sunderland A.F.C.|access-date=14 February 2009}}

{{main|2008–09 Premier League}}

{{:2008–09 Premier League|showteam=SUN}}

{{Fb rs |hw=6 |hd=3 |hl=10 |hgf=21 |hga=25 |aw=3 |ad=6 |al=10 |agf=13 |aga=29 }}

{{Fb rs footer|u=4 December 2018 |s=[https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/premier-league/24-may-2009// 11v11] |date=May 2009}}

{{#invoke:sports rbr table|table|legendpos=b|header=Matchday

|label1= Ground

|res1=H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/A/H/A/H/H/A/H/A/H/A/A/H/H/A/H/A/A/H/H/A/A/H/H/A/H/A/A/H

|label2= Result

|res2=L/W/L/D/W/L/D/D/W/L/L/L/W/L/L/L/W/W/D/L/D/L/W/D/W/D/L/D/L/L/L/L/W/L/L/D/L/L

|label3= Position

|res3=18/12/18/16/6/11/14/12/9/10/14/17/11/16/18/18/17/12/14/15/13/14/11/13/11/10/12/13/14/14/17/17/15/15/16/16/16/16

|text_H=Home|text_A=Away

|color_W=green2|text_W=Win

|color_D=yellow2|text_D=Draw

|color_L=red2|text_L=Loss

|color_1=1st|color_2=2nd|color_3=3rd|color_18-=red1

|updated=complete

|source=[http://www.statto.com/football/teams/sunderland/2008-2009/results Statto.com]

|date=May 2013

}}

{{Main|2008–09 FA Cup}}

{{main|2008–09 Football League Cup}}

:Squad at end of season.{{Cite web|url=http://www.footballsquads.co.uk/eng/2008-2009/faprem/sunder.htm|title=FootballSquads - Sunderland - 2008/09}}

{{Fs start}}

{{Fs player|no=1|pos=GK|nat=SCO|name=Craig Gordon}}

{{Fs player|no=2|pos=DF|nat=ENG|name=Phil BardsleyBardsley was born in Salford, England, but also qualifies to represent Scotland internationally through his father and would make his international debut for Scotland in October 2010.}}

{{Fs player|no=3|pos=DF|nat=NIR|name=George McCartney}}

{{Fs player|no=4|pos=MF|nat=FIN|name=Teemu Tainio}}

{{Fs player|no=5|pos=DF|nat=JAM|name=Nyron NosworthyNosworthy was born in Lambeth, England, but also qualified to represent Jamaica internationally through his father and Guyana through his mother and was called up by Jamaica in 2007 before making his international debut for Jamaica in May 2012.}}

{{Fs player|no=6|pos=MF|nat=ENG|name=Dean Whitehead|other=captain}}

{{Fs player|no=7|pos=MF|nat=TRI|name=Carlos Edwards}}

{{Fs player|no=8|pos=MF|nat=FRA|name=Steed MalbranqueMalbranque was born in Mouscron, Belgium, but also qualified to represent France internationally and has represented them at U-16, U-18, and U-21 level.}}

{{Fs player|no=9|pos=FW|nat=FRA|name=Djibril Cissé|other=on loan from Marseille}}

{{Fs player|no=10|pos=MF|nat=ENG|name=Kieran Richardson}}

{{Fs player|no=12|pos=DF|nat=ISR|name=Tal Ben Haim|other=on loan from Manchester City}}

{{Fs player|no=13|pos=GK|nat=WAL|name=Darren WardWard was born in Worksop, England, but also qualified to represent Wales internationally and made his international debut for Wales in June 2000.}}

{{Fs player|no=14|pos=FW|nat=IRL|name=Daryl Murphy}}

{{Fs player|no=15|pos=DF|nat=WAL|name=Danny CollinsCollins was born in Chester, England, and represented the England C team, but also qualifies to represent Wales internationally and made his international debut for Wales in February 2005.}}

{{Fs player|no=17|pos=FW|nat=TRI|name=Kenwyne Jones}}

{{Fs player|no=18|pos=MF|nat=ENG|name=Grant Leadbitter}}

{{Fs player|no=19|pos=MF|nat=TRI|name=Dwight Yorke}}

{{Fs player|no=20|pos=MF|nat=IRL|name=Andy Reid}}

{{Fs player|no=21|pos=DF|nat=ENG|name=Calum Davenport|other=on loan from West Ham United}}

{{Fs player|no=23|pos=FW|nat=NIR|name=David Healy}}

{{Fs mid}}

{{Fs player|no=24|pos=GK|nat=NIR|name=Trevor Carson}}

{{Fs player|no=25|pos=DF|nat=FRA|name=Jean-Yves Mvoto}}

{{Fs player|no=26|pos=DF|nat=ENG|name=Anton Ferdinand}}

{{Fs player|no=29|pos=DF|nat=ENG|name=Peter Hartley}}

{{Fs player|no=30|pos=DF|nat=IRL|name=Paul McShane}}

{{Fs player|no=31|pos=FW|nat=IRL|name=David ConnollyConnolly was born in Brent, England, but also qualified to represent the Republic of Ireland internationally and made his international debut for the Republic of Ireland in May 1996.}}

{{Fs player|no=32|pos=GK|nat=HUN|name=Márton Fülöp}}

{{Fs player|no=34|pos=MF|nat=ENG|name=Jack Colback}}

{{Fs player|no=35|pos=DF|nat=ENG|name=Michael Kay}}

{{Fs player|no=36|pos=MF|nat=ENG|name=Nathan Luscombe}}

{{Fs player|no=37|pos=MF|nat=NIR|name=Robbie Weir}}

{{Fs player|no=38|pos=MF|nat=ENG|name=Jamie Chandler}}

{{Fs player|no=39|pos=FW|nat=ENG|name=Martyn Waghorn}}

{{Fs player|no=40|pos=FW|nat=ENG|name=David Dowson}}

{{Fs player|no=41|pos=MF|nat=IRL|name=David Meyler}}

{{Fs player|no=43|pos=MF|nat=IRL|name=Conor Hourihane}}

{{Fs player|no=44|pos=FW|nat=IRL|name=Anthony Stokes}}

{{Fs player|no=45|pos=MF|nat=ENG|name=Jordan Cook}}

{{Fs player|no=46|pos=GK|nat=IRL|name=Nick Colgan}}

{{Fs end}}

{{Fs start}}

{{Fs player|no=11|pos=FW|nat=SEN|name=El Hadji Diouf|other=to Blackburn Rovers}}

{{Fs player|no=12|pos=MF|nat=IRL|name=Liam Miller|other=to Queens Park Rangers}}

{{Fs player|no=16|pos=FW|nat=ENG|name=Michael Chopra|other=on loan to Cardiff City}}

{{Fs player|no=21|pos=DF|nat=FRA|name=Pascal Chimbonda|other=to Tottenham Hotspur}}

{{Fs player|no=22|pos=DF|nat=ENG|name=Danny Higginbotham|other=to Stoke City}}

{{Fs player|no=26|pos=MF|nat=NGA|name=Dickson Etuhu|other=to Fulham}}

{{Fs player|no=27|pos=DF|nat=SCO|name=Russell Anderson|other=on loan to Burnley}}

{{Fs player|no=28|pos=MF|nat=IRL|name=Graham Kavanagh|other=to Carlisle United}}

{{Fs mid}}

{{Fs player|no=33|pos=DF|nat=IRL|name=Michael LiddleLiddle was born in Hounslow, Belgium, but also qualifies to represent the Republic of Ireland internationally and has represented them at U-21 level.|other=on loan to Carlisle United}}

{{Fs player|no=42|pos=MF|nat=ENG|name=Jordan Henderson|other=on loan to Coventry City}}

{{Fs player|no=45|pos=FW|nat=SWE|name=Rade Prica|other=to Rosenborg}}

{{Fs player|no=|pos=MF|nat=SCO|name=Ross Wallace|other=to Preston North End}}

{{Fs player|no=|pos=MF|nat=ESP|name=Arnau Riera|other=on loan to Falkirk}}

{{Fs player|no=|pos=DF|nat=ENG|name=Greg Halford|other=on loan to Sheffield United}}

{{Fs player|no=|pos=FW|nat=IRL|name=Roy O'Donovan|other=on loan to Blackpool}}

{{Fs end}}

{{Efs start|Premier League|FA Cup|League Cup}}

|-

! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Goalkeepers

{{Efs player|no=1 |name=Craig Gordon|pos=GK|nat=SCO |12|0|1|0|1|0}}

{{Efs player|no=32 |name=Márton Fülöp|pos=GK|nat=HUN |26|0|2|0|2|0}}

|-

! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Defenders

{{Efs player|no=2 |name=Phil Bardsley|pos=DF|nat=ENG |27+1|0|1+1|0|3|1}}

{{Efs player|no=3 |name=George McCartney|pos=DF|nat=NIR |16|0|1+1|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=5 |name=Nyron Nosworthy|pos=DF|nat=JAM |16|0|1|0|3|0}}

{{Efs player|no=7 |name=Carlos Edwards|pos=DF|nat=TRI |6+16|0|3|0|1|0}}

{{Efs player|no=12 |name=Tal Ben Haim|pos=DF|nat=ISR |5|0|0|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=15 |name=Danny Collins|pos=DF|nat=WAL |35|1|3|0|3|0}}

{{Efs player|no=21 |name=Calum Davenport|pos=DF|nat=ENG |7+1|0|0|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=26 |name=Anton Ferdinand|pos=DF|nat=ENG |31|0|3|0|2|0}}

{{Efs player|no=30 |name=Paul McShane|pos=DF|nat=IRL |0+3|0|0|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=35 |name=Michael Kay|pos=DF|nat=ENG |0|0|1|0|0|0}}

|-

! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Midfielders

{{Efs player|no=4 |name=Teemu Tainio|pos=MF|nat=FIN |18+3|0|0+1|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=6 |name=Dean Whitehead|pos=MF|nat=ENG |30+4|0|1|0|3|0}}

{{Efs player|no=8 |name=Steed Malbranque|pos=MF|nat=FRA |34+2|1|2|0|2|0}}

{{Efs player|no=10 |name=Kieran Richardson|pos=MF|nat=ENG |31+1|4|1|0|1+1|0}}

{{Efs player|no=18 |name=Grant Leadbitter|pos=MF|nat=ENG |12+11|2|2|0|1+2|0}}

{{Efs player|no=20 |name=Andy Reid|pos=MF|nat=IRL |20+12|1|2+1|0|2+1|0}}

{{Efs player|no=36 |name=Nathan Luscombe|pos=MF|nat=ENG |0|0|0+1|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=42 |name=Jordan Henderson|pos=MF|nat=ENG |0+1|0|0|0|1|0}}

|-

! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Forwards

{{Efs player|no=9 |name=Djibril Cissé|pos=FW|nat=FRA |29+6|10|1|1|2|0}}

{{Efs player|no=14 |name=Daryl Murphy|pos=FW|nat=IRL |6+17|0|1|0|2+1|0}}

{{Efs player|no=17 |name=Kenwyne Jones|pos=FW|nat=TRI |25+4|10|1+1|1|1|1}}

{{Efs player|no=19 |name=Dwight Yorke|pos=FW|nat=TRI |4+3|0|0+1|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=23 |name=David Healy|pos=FW|nat=NIR |0+10|1|2|1|1+1|1}}

{{Efs player|no=39 |name=Martyn Waghorn|pos=FW|nat=ENG |1|0|0|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=44 |name=Anthony Stokes|pos=FW|nat=IRL |0+2|0|0|0|0+1|2}}

|-

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

{{Efs player|no=11 |name=El Hadji Diouf|pos=FW|nat=SEN |11+3|0|1|0|1|0}}

{{Efs player|no=12 |name=Liam Miller|pos=MF|nat=IRL |1+2|0|0|0|0+1|0}}

{{Efs player|no=16 |name=Michael Chopra|pos=FW|nat=ENG |1+5|2|1|0|0+1|0}}

{{Efs player|no=21 |name=Pascal Chimbonda|pos=DF|nat=FRA |13|0|2|0|1|0}}

{{Efs player|no=22 |name=Danny Higginbotham|pos=DF|nat=ENG |1|0|0|0|0|0}}

|-

{{Fb cs footer|u=31 May 2009 |s=Competitions|date=August 2018}}

• 2008–09 in English football

{{Reflist|group=notes|30em}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Sunderland A.F.C. seasons}}

{{2008–09 in English football}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2008-09 Sunderland A.F.C. season}}

Category:Sunderland A.F.C. seasons

Sunderland