Sunderland and Cardiff have faced each other 68 times in total. Our record is 22 wins, 17 draws and 29 losses. Here are some of the most interesting fixtures between the two clubs throughout history.
CARDIFF 2-4 SUNDERLAND - DIVISION 1 - 1922
We’ll start with a victory for the lads with a win away to Cardiff at their old stadium Ninian Park. On the 7th October 1922, Sunderland travelled down to the Welsh capital to win by four goals to two. While the high scoring affair would result in three points for the Black Cats, it was the Bluebirds who opened the scoring through their forward Joe Clennell in the 13th minute. This early first half lead did not last long though, as Arthur Hawes and Jock Paterson would both convert to give SAFC a 2-1 lead going into the second half. The game would remain this way until the 77th minute when Sunderland legend and one of the most prolific goalscorers in the club’s history, Charlie Buchan, would score to make the game 3-1. With Jock Paterson getting his second five minutes later the game was out of sight - Joe Clennell’s second goal came as just a consolation as we left Wales with three points.
SUNDERLAND 5-0 CARDIFF - DIVISION 1 - 1954
Our best result against the Welshmen would be at Roker Park on the 16th January 1954. It was Cardiff who were travelling away this time, but unfortunately for them they would go home demoralised. Bill Murray’s side decimated them in front of over 40,000 fans who attended the fixture. The first half of the match already had the game killed off as Tommy Wright grabbed a brace. His first came in the 9th minute and his second in the 14th but as the half time break was approaching another SAFC legend Len Shackleton ‘The Clown Prince of Football’ made our victory a certainty. In the latter part of the second half, South African Ted Purdon would score two in quick succession to put Cardiff out of their misery, and the game would finish 5-0.
CARDIFF 4-1 SUNDERLAND - DIVISON 2 - 1973
Now it's time for the not-so-exciting bit. Despite Sunderland being the FA Cup champions at the time and the squad filled to the brim of Sunderland icons like Ian Porterfield, Jimmy Montgomery, Bobby Kerr and Dick Malone, this would be one of our worst losses against Cardiff. On the 29th December 1973 the Bluebirds would get an emphatic win over the FA Cup holders to put a downer right at the end of what would be a fondly-remembered year amongst Mackems. The beginning of the match was full of hope as big Vic Halom opened the scoring two minutes in, but that's where the fun ended. The half would end 2-1 to Cardiff, with John Farrington scoring one in the first half and two more in the second to make it a hat-trick.
CARDIFF 2-2 SUNDERLAND - PREMIER LEAGUE - 2013
Our first meeting in the Premier League came as an exciting 2-2 draw at the newly-built Cardiff City Stadium, between Gus Poyet’s Sunderland and David Kerslake’s Cardiff City. Jordon Mutch would score early and ex-Mackem Fraizer Campbell doubled their lead in the second half. But Sunderland would refuse to give up; Scottish striker Steven Fletcher scored late on in the 83rd minute to ignite some determination and Fabio Borini would deliver in injury time to rescue a point.
CARDIFF 4-0 SUNDERLAND - CHAMPIONSHIP - 2018
The 13th January 2018 would be one to forget for Lads fans. In fact, so would the entire 17/18 season (as we all know). This onslaught would not begin until the second half, with Callum Paterson netting in the 46th minute. Just three minutes later club record signing Didier Ndong earned himself a red card for tackling Hoilett high up on his shin and 10-men Sunderland had it all to do. Their efforts were nowhere near enough as Patterson grabbed a second, with Joe Ralls and Anthony Pilkington also getting in on the act. More shocking defending that season - but thankfully, Ndong would join Watford that January meaning this was his last game ever for us.
SUNDERLAND 0-1 CARDIFF - CHAMPIONSHIP - 2022
This game was definitely one of the worst performances we had in the 22/23 season. Tony Mowbray's Lads were taking on Mark Hudson's Bluebirds, at the Stadium of Light. Danny Batth gave away a penalty in the 13th minute, but thankfully Anthony Patterson saved Joe Ralls' effort. The first half ended 0-0, and Sunderland were poor. Things didn't get any better in the second half, and Mark Harris made it 1-0 to Cardiff. The game slowly sizzled out from there, and the Lads lost 1-0.
CARDIFF 0-1 SUNDERLAND - CHAMPIONSHIP - 2023
At this point in the season we were a few points off a spot in the play-offs, as were about five other teams, so we really needed every point we could get and when we came to a struggling Cardiff we dominated from the off. The first half was mainly us but we couldn’t get a goal - Clarke had nodded one in but it was offside. It was goalless going into half time and Cardiff started the second half well until Pritchard had a freekick which hit the post, Dennis Cirkin was first to it in the box and tapped in the rebound. Cardiff never really looked like troubling us with an equaliser and the lads comfortably got revenge for the home 1-0 loss earlier in the season.
SUNDERLAND 0-1 CARDIFF - CHAMPIONSHIP - 2023
This defeat was so frustrating because of how dominant we'd been, but our inability to defend set pieces came back to bite us once again. They didn't have a shot on target until their 87th minute goal, whilst we had six but couldn't find the back of the net. It was Marc McGuinness who his us with the late sucker punch, with the towering centre half heading in from a corner. We put in a good performance but their goal really took the wind out of our sails and Cardiff nearly got another one late on, but squandered a huge chance.
