Sunderland's Final Premier League Position: 20th
This Premier League Review sees Sunderland's season assessed, with the club finally succumbing to relegation after many close calls.
Sunderland came into this campaign on the back of a second great escape, but Sam Allardyce left to pursue a short lived stint with England.
The club made a solid appointment in David Moyes but failed to back him in the transfer market despite assurances prior to appointing the Scot.
Unfortunately for Moyes, this proved to be another damaging managerial stint, since leaving Everton his record has been appalling.
Ultimately the season has been hugely disappointing, they failed to stay in the league and they look like they will struggle to mount any sort of challenge in the Championship as well.
Tough Start
Sunderland had a tough start to the season, narrowly losing two matches and drawing the other during the month of August.
They followed that up with seven Premier League defeats and one draw until they beat Bournemouth 2-1 in November.
The Black Cats won just three more games in 2016, coming against Watford, Leicester and Hull, all sides that were struggling.
They lost 26 matches in total, by far the highest in the league. Meaning that their 24 points came from 12 games.
Moyes' side scored just 29 goals all season, this was the second lowest in the league and they conceded the second most goals.
They registered just 6 wins all season and finished 16 points behind Watford who finished 17th.
They finished 69 points behind Antonio Conte's side, an enormous gulf in class between the sides at the top and bottom of the league.
Cup Failures
Sunderland exited the EFL Cup at the third time of asking, losing to eventual finalists Southampton 1-0.
They exited the FA Cup at the first time of asking, losing 2-0 away against Burnley in the third round replay.
The main aim was to move the club forward, on the evidence of league and cup performances this season has been a complete failure for Sunderland.
This has been one of the worst periods in the clubs history, the rebuilding process begins.
Top Stats
Jermain Defoe ended as the club's top Premier League scorer, with the England International scoring 15 goals and registering two assists.
Defoe scored five times as many goals as any other striker, he scored 15 of the club's 29 Premier League goals, an incredible effort.
Didier N'Dong had a good season completing the most passes (1008) and making the most tackles (82).
Adnan Januzaj had the most assists (3) and Billy Jones won the most aerial battles (95).
Lamine Kone had the most clearances (199) and Papy Djilobodji the most interceptions (54).
Their final points tally was 24, that was 16 points behind Watford who finished 17th in the PL.
Transfer Speculation
Simon Grayson has been appointed as the new Sunderland manager, appointing a manager with an excellent reputation in the league after his time at Preston.
Grayson will have a gargantuan task on his hands, with the Championship a tough league and Sunderland selling the few quality players that they had.
They have already sold three players with Vito Manone, Jermain Defoe and Jordan Pickford all leaving the club.
The Black Cats have signed Aiden McGeady and James Vaughan, who both have Premier League pedigree after their time at Everton.
Sunderland look like a side that will struggle and if they don't act fast could end up with a squad that slides down to League One.
Betting Tips
To be promoted from the Championship 17/18 @ 5/1
To win the Championship @ 16/1
To win the Carabao Cup 17/18 @ 100/1
To win the FA Cup 17/18 @ 100/1
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