Sunderland’s record against the promoted sides: How did they get on?

Red cards, former player’s revenge and an eight-hundred-mile round trip, it hasn’t been all smooth sailing for the Black Cats this season against newly promoted sides.

With Oxford United joining Portsmouth and Derby in the championship next season, we look back at how Sunderland fared against the promoted sides this season.

 

Sunderland 1-2 Ipswich Town 6/9/23

It was a fairly tale start for Ipswich who stunned the Black Cats on the opening day of the season. Familiar to the Northeast club, former striker Nathan Broadhead struck first on the stroke of halftime.

Things got bad to worse for Sunderland with Ipswich doubling their lead through George Hirst and Trai Hume’s sending off all but sealing the result.

Dan Niel’s consolation four minutes from full time wasn’t enough to deny Kieran McKenna’s side all three points on opening day.

Sheffield Wednesday 0-3 Sunderland 29/10/2

A perfect away performance for Tony Mowbray’s side is one word to describe it as they took all three points from Hillsborough without much trouble.

Two goals inside the opening 10 minutes from Dan Ballard and talisman Jack Clarke converting from the penalty spot left Sheffield Wednesday stunned. Any hope of a comeback was short-lived when Clarke doubled his tally inside the first half leaving the second half an uphill battle for the home side.

Plymouth Argyle 2-0 Sunderland 25/11/23

The longest trip in Championship football was upon Sunderland who travelled 400 miles down to the very Southwest coast.

Unfortunately for the Black Cats, it was a long journey back to  Wearside leaving Plymouth empty-handed.

Goals from Morgan Whitaker and Finn Azaz in the first half all but cemented Mowbray’s departure who was released from his duties as Sunderland’s Manager two games later.

Ipswich Town 2-1 Sunderland 13/1/24

Sunderland were looking to put the Wear-Tyne derby defeat behind them as Newcastle put three in their net as they travelled down to Ipswich who were now in the run for Premier League promotion.

Michael Beale’s side struck first with Jack Clarke again putting Sunderland in front but that lead was quickly short-lived due to Kayden Jackson’s goal seven minutes later.

Conor Chaplin handed the Black Cats back-to-back defeats as Sunderland fell further away from the playoff picture.

Sunderland 3-1 Plymouth Argyle 10/2/24

Sunderland wanted revenge for their 2-0 loss before Christmas and that is what they got.

Although conceding first, three goals in 15 minutes from Pierre Ekwah, Jack Clarke and Jobe Bellingham sent the Wearsiders all three points.

The win wasn’t the start of a turnaround for the Black Cats as Beale was sacked two games later after only 12 games in charge.

Sunderland 0-2 Sheffield Wednesday 4/5/24

Sunderland welcomed Sheffield Wednesday to the Stadium of Light with the Black Cats already safe but Wednesday had it all to play for needing a win for survival in the Championship.

Sheffield Wednesday got the result they wanted putting two goals past Nathan Bishop ensuring their survival.

For Sunderland, what looked a very promising start, turned into a very poor end to the season and with a lot to for next season.