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).
^Haas was born in
Vienna,
Austria, but also qualified to represent
Switzerland internationally and made his international debut for
Switzerland in 1996.
^Kilbane was born in
Preston,
England, but also qualified to represent the
Republic of Ireland internationally through his parents and represented them at U-21 level before making his international debut for
Republic of Ireland in September 1997.
^Whitley was born in
Ndola,
Zambia, but was raised in
England and also qualified to represent
Northern Ireland internationally through his father. He represented England at U-17 level and Northern Ireland at U-21 level before making his international debut for
Northern Ireland in 1997.
^Oster was born in
Boston,
England, but also qualified to represent
Wales internationally and represented them at U-18 and U-21 level before making his international debut for
Wales in 1997.
^Ingham was born in
Preston,
England, but also qualified to represent
Northern Ireland internationally and represented them at U-18 and U-21 level before making his international debut for
Northern Ireland in June 2005.
^Byfield was born in
Sutton Coldfield,
England, but also qualified to represent
Jamaica internationally and made his international debut for
Jamaica in 2003.