On 13 May 2009, Gerrard was named as the 2009 Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year, beating Ryan Giggs by just 10 votes and becoming the first Liverpool player to win the award in nineteen years. Gerrard was delighted and "a little bit surprised" to win the award. On 5 December 2009, Gerrard made his 500th appearance for Liverpool in a 0–0 draw at Blackburn where he was accused of diving in an attempt to win a penalty. He ended the 2009–10 season with 12 goals and nine assists from 46 matches.