The 2008-09 campaign was a turbulent Premier League survival mission for Sunderland, with The Black Cats ultimately finishing 16th after the mid-season departure of manager Roy Keane and the subsequent appointment of Ricky Sbragia. Premier League safety was dramatically sealed late in the season in a crucial win over local rivals Middlesbrough. Leading the charge were the dynamic, yet sometimes struggling, striking duo of Kenwyne Jones and loan signing Djibril Cissé, who each netted 10 crucial league goals to secure their top-flight status for another season.