The 2005-06 campaign delivered profound heartbreak for Sunderland as The Black Cats plummeted to a crushing 20th-place finish and immediate relegation, setting a new, unwanted Premier League record of just 15 points. Despite the optimism following their promotion, the team, which saw manager Mick McCarthy sacked mid-season, struggled for any kind of form, winning only three league matches all year. The historic lack of attacking quality was epitomized by Liam Lawrence and Anthony Le Tallec, alongside Tommy Miller and Dean Whitehead, jointly topping the league scoring chart with a paltry three goals each in a season of relentless disappointment. It was a dark and turbulent year that culminated in a historic low for the club.