Sunderland: The Premiership Years Quiz

Answer: 1996/97

Sunderland's first season in the FA Premier League was a miserable one, ending in their relegation at the end of the season. But after that, they had a taste of the big league, and the Black Cats wanted more.

Answer: 17

Sunderland were unable to find the net in 17 out of 38 Premiership games. That's almost half in total. The team only managed 35 goals all season, with only Leeds United and Nottingham Forest having a worst rate of scoring. What didn't help the team were key injuries to their main strikers during the season.

Answer: May 3, 1997, against Everton

In an emotional send-off for team and fans, the Black Cats won in emphatic fashion by 3-0, with Paul Stewart, Chris Waddle, and Allan Johnston, scoring goals. However, despite this win in the penultimate match of the season, Sunderland were still relegated after losing 1-0 to Wimbledon in the final game of the season.

Answer: 105

In a record-breaking season in just their second year at the Stadium of Ligh, Sunderland stormed back into the FA Premiership, after the heartbreak of losing to Charlton Athletic in 1997/98, in the final play-off game.

Answer: 7th

In a superb first season back in the top flight, Sunderland finished 7th, and only just missed out on a European place thanks to a worse goal difference compared to Aston Villa (Villa had +10 compared to only +1 for Sunderland). What was extra sweet for Sunderland players and fans, was that they finished ahead of bitter local rivals Newcastle and Middlesbrough.

Answer: 30

In a wonderful first season in the Premiership, Phillips found the back of the net 30 times in 38 games, and was only the third player to achieve the feat at the time. Phillips was awarded Player of the Year award, and finished runner-up in the Professional Footballers' Association award, and Football Writers' Association Player of the Year award.

Answer: 2-1

Derby contests between Sunderland and Newcastle United were always bitter, hard-fought affairs, and this was no different. Newcastle United threw the game away. Dyer put the Magpies ahead 1-0 after 27 minutes, but Sunderland kept fighting, and Quinn leveled the scores in the 64th minute, and then golden boot Kevin Phillips sealed the game for the Wearsiders with 15 minutes to go.

Answer: 57

Sadly for manager, players, and fans alike, Sunderland again just missed out on European football by finishing in 7th place, four points behind Chelsea in 6th place. The season had started superbly, with Sunderland flying high in third place in December, but once again Sunderland suffered mid-season wobbles and missed out, but the season was still seen as a great success.

Answer: 889,025

A startling number for the Black Cats, proving just how popular and loyal fans are of their Black Cats. An average of 46,791 attended each game of the Premiership season.

Answer: Ipswich Town

Sunderland and Ipswich met on New Years Day 2001 in a battle for European places, and it was the Wearsiders who came out triumphant in a dominant display. Ipswich had taken the early lead thanks to Marcus Stewart, but goals to Julio Arca, Kevin Phillips, Danny Dichio, and Stefan Schwarz, ensured a big 4-1 victory. Sunderland had beaten Bradford City 4-1 at Valley Parade.

Answer: 17th

Sunderland's form was up and down all season, and it was only thanks to a 1-1 draw against Derby County that Sunderland managed to keep the 17th spot safe, and Ipswich Town were forced into the drop. The season saw Sunderland with a 10 win, 10 draw, 18 loss record, but it was their goal scoring that really cost the Black Cats, only scoring 29 goals.

Answer: Blackburn Rovers

Sunderland only managed to score 3 goals in a game once all season, against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park, with Niall Quinn proving there is life in the old dog yet by bagging a pair.

Answer: 13th

Sunderland's start to the season wasn't too bad in the context of how bad the season would go. It started with 0-0 draw with Blackburn, a 1-0 loss to Everton, a 1-0 win against Leeds at Elland Road, and then a 1-1 draw with Manchester United, a gain of 5 points in 4 games.

Answer: 20

Sunderland were kept scoreless on an astonishing 20 times in 38 games, and scored only 21 goals in the 18 games left. They failed to score a goal at all in March and were kept scoreless in their final four games. Sunderland have always had trouble up front, but the 2002/03 season proved how bad it was.

Answer: 3rd

It was a good season for the Black Cats in their first season back in Nationwide, but once again it was filled with heartbreak at seasons end. Crystal Palace knocked them out of the playoffs and then went on to promotion. But Sunderland were again a club with confidence and approach the 2004/05 season with high ambitions.