🔗 Share this article Sunderland Mimic Notorious Magpies Team Photo In the Wake of Crucial Local Rivalry Win. Sunderland players and staff posed for a picture to commemorate their success over their local foes. New leadership and an almost completely different team – but the club at Sunderland wasn't going to forget. Back in 2024, after a dominant Newcastle performance at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the rivals commemorated the moment with a group photo on the pitch. This time, the roles were flipped. Nick Woltemade's own goal proved decisive to deliver Sunderland a historic win over their rivals in the inaugural Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to mimic Newcastle's celebratory snapshot at full-time. “Forever inventive, resourceful, flexible,” smiled Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when pressed about who proposed the gesture. Defender Dan Ballard, who was unfortunate to score an own goal in that cup defeat, was the lone Sunderland player to be in the starting XI in each of the games. He explained how he desperately wanted to avenge the loss, stating: “It's indescribable. It was heartbreaking for the players and for the fans. We felt we had disappointed them, so we're ecstatic with this win.” “It prepared us more for today. We came in with improved ability in this team, true characters, we persevered, fought really hard and I thought we deserved the win.” Sunderland recreated this picture from Newcastle's 2024 FA Cup victory over the Black Cats. ‘Derbies you have to win, it does not matter how’ Sitting in seventh Sunderland are having a outstanding return to the top flight after promotion via the play-offs last season. The Black Cats have 26 points in 16 games, their best return at this stage of a Premier League campaign since 2000-01. They are undefeated in the league at the Stadium of Light, which boasted an electric atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon. “These games are all about the victory, by hook or by crook,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team is worthy of more respect – where we are in the league is remarkable and we're working really hard.” Sunderland are also undefeated in their last 10 league games against Newcastle, their best-ever streak without defeat against the Magpies. Newcastle's last league win over Sunderland was back in August 2011. Manager Regis le Bris said he was “delighted and satisfied” with the performance. “It was a derby and we were carrying the hopes of our fans,” he added. “This win is fully merited, we were composed and the lads were incredible.” “It's good for the region, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a huge 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 chose not to show Newcastle's name.
Sunderland players and staff posed for a picture to commemorate their success over their local foes. New leadership and an almost completely different team – but the club at Sunderland wasn't going to forget. Back in 2024, after a dominant Newcastle performance at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the rivals commemorated the moment with a group photo on the pitch. This time, the roles were flipped. Nick Woltemade's own goal proved decisive to deliver Sunderland a historic win over their rivals in the inaugural Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to mimic Newcastle's celebratory snapshot at full-time. “Forever inventive, resourceful, flexible,” smiled Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when pressed about who proposed the gesture. Defender Dan Ballard, who was unfortunate to score an own goal in that cup defeat, was the lone Sunderland player to be in the starting XI in each of the games. He explained how he desperately wanted to avenge the loss, stating: “It's indescribable. It was heartbreaking for the players and for the fans. We felt we had disappointed them, so we're ecstatic with this win.” “It prepared us more for today. We came in with improved ability in this team, true characters, we persevered, fought really hard and I thought we deserved the win.” Sunderland recreated this picture from Newcastle's 2024 FA Cup victory over the Black Cats. ‘Derbies you have to win, it does not matter how’ Sitting in seventh Sunderland are having a outstanding return to the top flight after promotion via the play-offs last season. The Black Cats have 26 points in 16 games, their best return at this stage of a Premier League campaign since 2000-01. They are undefeated in the league at the Stadium of Light, which boasted an electric atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon. “These games are all about the victory, by hook or by crook,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team is worthy of more respect – where we are in the league is remarkable and we're working really hard.” Sunderland are also undefeated in their last 10 league games against Newcastle, their best-ever streak without defeat against the Magpies. Newcastle's last league win over Sunderland was back in August 2011. Manager Regis le Bris said he was “delighted and satisfied” with the performance. “It was a derby and we were carrying the hopes of our fans,” he added. “This win is fully merited, we were composed and the lads were incredible.” “It's good for the region, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a huge 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 chose not to show Newcastle's name.