🔗 Share this article The Black Cats Stage Famous Magpies Squad Picture In the Wake of Crucial Derby Victory. Sunderland players and staff posed for a picture to mark their success over their arch-rivals. A different manager and an almost completely different team – but someone at Sunderland had a long memory. Back in 2024, 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 script were reversed. Nick Woltemade's unfortunate deflection 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 mimic Newcastle's iconic snapshot at full-time. “Consistently original, imaginative, versatile,” remarked Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when questioned about who proposed the photograph. Defender Dan Ballard, who was unfortunate to score an own goal in that previous encounter, was the lone Sunderland player to feature from the beginning in each of the games. He disclosed how he was determined to avenge the loss, stating: “You cannot describe [the feeling]. It was so painful for the players and for the fans. We felt we had disappointed them, so we're ecstatic with this win.” “That experience hardened us. We came in with improved ability in this team, strong personalities, we stuck in there, fought really hard and I thought we merited the win.” Sunderland recreated 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 had 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 unbeaten in their last 10 league games against Newcastle, their most extended period without defeat against the Magpies. Newcastle's last league win over Sunderland was all the way back in 2011. Manager Regis le Bris said he was “delighted and satisfied” with the result. “It was a derby and we were expected [to win] of our fans,” he added. “This win is well deserved, we were mature and the lads were incredible.” “It's fantastic for the area, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a special game, but we have to turn the page as we have another difficult test 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 mark their success over their arch-rivals. A different manager and an almost completely different team – but someone at Sunderland had a long memory. Back in 2024, 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 script were reversed. Nick Woltemade's unfortunate deflection 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 mimic Newcastle's iconic snapshot at full-time. “Consistently original, imaginative, versatile,” remarked Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when questioned about who proposed the photograph. Defender Dan Ballard, who was unfortunate to score an own goal in that previous encounter, was the lone Sunderland player to feature from the beginning in each of the games. He disclosed how he was determined to avenge the loss, stating: “You cannot describe [the feeling]. It was so painful for the players and for the fans. We felt we had disappointed them, so we're ecstatic with this win.” “That experience hardened us. We came in with improved ability in this team, strong personalities, we stuck in there, fought really hard and I thought we merited the win.” Sunderland recreated 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 had 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 unbeaten in their last 10 league games against Newcastle, their most extended period without defeat against the Magpies. Newcastle's last league win over Sunderland was all the way back in 2011. Manager Regis le Bris said he was “delighted and satisfied” with the result. “It was a derby and we were expected [to win] of our fans,” he added. “This win is well deserved, we were mature and the lads were incredible.” “It's fantastic for the area, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a special game, but we have to turn the page as we have another difficult test in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light did not display Newcastle's name.