The decision to replace manager Steve Bruce with Martin O'Neill midway through the season proved to be a positive move by the Sunderland board.
The Blacks Cats looked to be relegation candidates under Bruce's stewardship. However, O'Neill arrived at the Stadium of Light in December to transform the club's fortunes almost instantly.
Sports Mole has reviewed the previous ten months for Wearside's number one club.
August
The less said about August the better as far as Sunderland supporters are concerned! It didn't start too badly as the new signing Sebastian Larsson secured a 1-1 draw away at Liverpool.
What followed was a 1-0 loss at home to bitter rivals Newcastle United and a 0-0 draw at Swansea City.
Championship side Brighton & Hove Albion also inflicted defeat on Sunderland in the Carling Cup.
September
Three matches and two defeats shaped September as supporters began to turn on Bruce. Chelsea and Norwich City were the victors, while Sunderland did manage to hit four without reply past Stoke City.
October
A couple of 2-2 draws at home to West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa did little to lighten the mood at the Stadium of Light in October.
Those that travelled would have seen their side win 2-1 away at Bolton, although they were on the receiving end of the same scoreline at Arsenal.
November
The Sunderland board called time on Bruce's reign following a 2-1 loss at home to Wigan Athletic. The 51-year-old had been in charge of the club for two years.
A 1-0 loss to Manchester United and a 0-0 draw with Fulham had preceded the Wigan defeat.
December
Martin O'Neill was in the stands as Sunderland threw away a one-goal advantage to lose 2-1 at Wolverhampton Wanderers early in December.
However, his first official match in charge ended in a 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers thanks to a long-range effort from Larsson in stoppage time.
A loss, a win and a draw against Tottenham Hotspur, Queens Park Rangers and Everton respectively rounded off the month.
January
New Year's Day saw Sunderland record arguably their most impressive victory of the season. Ji Dong-won was the hero against Manchester City, coming off the bench to score the only goal of the game.
Victories over Wigan and Swansea followed, with the only blotch on their copybook coming with a 1-0 loss at Chelsea.
Their FA Cup form was also good as the Black Cats claimed wins over Peterborough United and Middlesbrough.
February
February saw Sunderland defeat Norwich, Stoke and Arsenal in the FA Cup without conceding any goals.
However, the Gunners gained revenge in the Premier League as Thierry Henry scored a late goal to give Arsenal a 2-1 win.
The month ended poorly though when West Brom struck four past O'Neill's side at the Hawthorns.
March
Most disappointingly for Sunderland in March was their FA Cup quarter-final exit to Everton at the Stadium of Light.
On the whole their Premier League form was good though thanks to wins over Liverpool and QPR.
They also became the first side to take anything from the Etihad Stadium when they recorded a 3-3 draw against leaders Man City at the end of the month.
April
Having secured their Premier League status for another season, many accused the Sunderland squad of taking their foot off the gas in April.
They only scored two goals over the whole month, both of which came during a 2-2 draw at home with Bolton.
Everton claimed a 4-0 win over O'Neill's team, while three successive 0-0 draws against Spurs, Wolves and Villa concluded the month.
May
The trend continued in May as Fulham claimed a 2-1 success over Sunderland at Craven Cottage, while on the final day, the Stadium of Light played host to title contenders Man United, who went on to record an ultimately meaningless 1-0 win, leaving Sunderland in 13th.
Liam Apicella
