After a decent start to the 1909-10 season, Robert Kyle’s Sunderland team were humbled by a 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle going into this game at Anfield against Liverpool. Two wins and a draw preceded that defeat to Newcastle but Kyle’s team were surely looking for a reaction as they travelled to Anfield to play a Liverpool side who finished 16th the previous season.
Despite their lowly finish the previous season, Tom Watson appeared to be in the midst of turning his team’s fortunes as they had won
their previous three games before the visit of Sunderland to Anfield.
In what would have been a shock to the 30,000 fans that turned up for this game, two quick-fire goals just before and after half time gave the away side a two goal lead. These goals came from George Holley and Jackie Mordue and it gave the team a huge platform for victory going into the final half hour.
A header from Joe Hewitt – who played for Sunderland in 1901 to 1904 – scored a goal to bring the Reds back into the game, though due to the exploits of our goalkeeper Leigh Richmond Roose, it was the only goal the home side got.
A five minute double from John Thompson in the 65th and 70th minute secured the victory for the away side. This double from Thompson is the first brace for the Alnwick man since 20 months prior.
This win displayed the potential that this team had and whilst they had improved at the back, their inconsistency in winning games saw them languish in mid-table for most of the season. As it goes, Liverpool went on to finish second with this being their biggest defeat at home soil all season.
In the final eight games of the season, a win against Bradford at home was all the fans had to cheer about with the team finishing in 8th position, a drop of five places from the previous season.
