While a poor start to the season saw Sunderland win just one of their first six matches, putting manager Mick McCarthy under pressure, the board kept faith with the manager, and were rewarded with a much more consistent season than the previous one. The team never dropped out of the top six after a victory over Millwall in mid-October, and their form steadily improved over the season. Along with a collapse by early-season pace-setters Ipswich Town, this lifted Sunderland to the top of the table with seven matches remaining, and they held onto top spot, returning to the Premier League after two seasons.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
The following players did not appear for the first-team this season.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Updated to match(es) played on 9 December 2011. Source: Football League Tables Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. (C) Champions; (P) Promoted
^Byfield was born in Sutton Coldfield, England, but also qualified to represent Jamaica internationally and made his international debut for Jamaica in 2003.
^Lawrence was born in Retford, England, but also qualified to represent the Republic of Ireland internationally through his grandfather and would be called up by the Republic of Ireland in February 2006 before making his international debut in May 2009.
^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.
^Welsh was born in Manchester, England, but also qualified to represent Scotland internationally and has represented them at U-19 level.
^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.
^Collins was born in Chester, England, and represented them at C level, but also qualified to represent Wales internationally and made his international debut for Wales in February 2005.
^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.
^Holden was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, but was raised in the United States from the age of 10 and represented them at U-20 and U-23 level before making his international debut for the United States in July 2009.
Stephen Elliott
Carl Robinson
Dean Whitehead
Steven Caldwell
Darren Byfield[notes 2]
Joachim Bjorklund
Nicolás Medina
Marcus Stewart - 17
Stephen Elliott - 16
Julio Arca - 9
Carl Robinson, 
Steven Caldwell - 4