🔗 Share this article Sunderland Mimic Famous Newcastle Team Photo Following ‘Special’ Local Rivalry Victory. Sunderland players and staff posed for a picture to commemorate their victory over their rivals. An altered coaching staff and an almost completely different team – but the club at Sunderland had a long memory. Nearly two years ago, after Newcastle's thumping 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the rivals celebrated with a group photo on the pitch. Now, the situation were reversed. Nick Woltemade's own goal proved sufficient to give Sunderland a memorable win over their rivals in the inaugural Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to recreate Newcastle's post-match snapshot at full-time. “Always unpredictable, creative, adaptive,” said with a grin Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who proposed the photograph. Defender Dan Ballard, who conceded an own goal in that 2024 FA Cup tie, was the sole Sunderland player to start in both games. He disclosed how he was determined to rectify the loss, stating: “You cannot describe [the feeling]. It was agonizing for the players and for the fans. We felt we had failed them, so we're delighted with this win.” “It prepared us more for today. We came in with greater talent in this team, true characters, we stuck in there, fought really hard and I thought we deserved the win.” Sunderland deliberately echoed this picture from Newcastle's previous triumph over the Black Cats. ‘Local clashes are must-wins, by any means necessary’ Sitting in seventh Sunderland are enjoying a superb return to the top flight after promotion via the play-offs last season. The Black Cats have a tally of 26 points in 16 games, their highest total at this stage of a Premier League campaign since 2000-01. They are yet to lose in the league at the Stadium of Light, which boasted an feverish atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon. “In local rivalry matches, the result is everything, the performance secondary,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team is worthy of more respect – where we are in the league is amazing and we're working really hard.” Sunderland are also undefeated in their last 10 league games against Newcastle, their longest such run without defeat against the Magpies. Newcastle's last league win over Sunderland was over a decade ago. Manager Regis le Bris said he was “delighted and satisfied” with the result. “It was a derby and we were carrying the hopes of our fans,” he added. “This win is rightfully earned, we were composed and the lads were superb.” “It's good for the area, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a unique game, but we have to reset quickly as we have another tough challenge in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light did not display Newcastle's name.
Sunderland players and staff posed for a picture to commemorate their victory over their rivals. An altered coaching staff and an almost completely different team – but the club at Sunderland had a long memory. Nearly two years ago, after Newcastle's thumping 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the rivals celebrated with a group photo on the pitch. Now, the situation were reversed. Nick Woltemade's own goal proved sufficient to give Sunderland a memorable win over their rivals in the inaugural Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to recreate Newcastle's post-match snapshot at full-time. “Always unpredictable, creative, adaptive,” said with a grin Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who proposed the photograph. Defender Dan Ballard, who conceded an own goal in that 2024 FA Cup tie, was the sole Sunderland player to start in both games. He disclosed how he was determined to rectify the loss, stating: “You cannot describe [the feeling]. It was agonizing for the players and for the fans. We felt we had failed them, so we're delighted with this win.” “It prepared us more for today. We came in with greater talent in this team, true characters, we stuck in there, fought really hard and I thought we deserved the win.” Sunderland deliberately echoed this picture from Newcastle's previous triumph over the Black Cats. ‘Local clashes are must-wins, by any means necessary’ Sitting in seventh Sunderland are enjoying a superb return to the top flight after promotion via the play-offs last season. The Black Cats have a tally of 26 points in 16 games, their highest total at this stage of a Premier League campaign since 2000-01. They are yet to lose in the league at the Stadium of Light, which boasted an feverish atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon. “In local rivalry matches, the result is everything, the performance secondary,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team is worthy of more respect – where we are in the league is amazing and we're working really hard.” Sunderland are also undefeated in their last 10 league games against Newcastle, their longest such run without defeat against the Magpies. Newcastle's last league win over Sunderland was over a decade ago. Manager Regis le Bris said he was “delighted and satisfied” with the result. “It was a derby and we were carrying the hopes of our fans,” he added. “This win is rightfully earned, we were composed and the lads were superb.” “It's good for the area, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a unique game, but we have to reset quickly as we have another tough challenge in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light did not display Newcastle's name.