Sunderland Football Club

• Nickname:Black Cats
• Founded:1879
• Manager:Paolo Di Canio

• Ground:Stadium of light
• Capacity:48353

Title joy for Black Cats

06 May 2007 - 15:00:34

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Sunderland overturned a one-point deficit to claim the Championship title as their 5-0 victory over Luton Town on the final day of the season saw them leapfrog Birmingham City at the top of the table.

Roy Keane's side made light work of the already-relegated Hatters with goals from Anthony Stokes, Daryl Murphy (two), Ross Wallace and David Connolly, while Birmingham's 1-0 defeat at the hands of Preston North End saw them finish the season as runners-up.

Simon Whaley scored the only goal of the game for the Lilywhites, but it wasn't enough to move Preston into the play-off zone as victories by Wolverhampton Wanderers, Southampton and West Bromwich Albion ensured it was they who finished inside the all-important top-six.

West Brom thrashed hapless Barnsley 7-0 at The Hawthorns, while Southampton ended 4-1 winners over relegated Southend United and Wolves racked up a similar scoreline away at Leicester City.

Stoke City's 1-1 draw with QPR saw the Potters also miss out on a play-off spot, while Colchester United's outside chances were ended after a 2-0 home defeat by Crystal Palace.

Meanwhile, Derby County consolidated third place with a comfortable 2-0 victory over League One-bound Leeds United.