Sunderland Recreate Famous Newcastle Team Photo In the Wake of Pivotal Local Rivalry Triumph.
New leadership and a vastly altered lineup – but someone at Sunderland wasn't going to forget.
Back in 2024, after a comprehensive Magpies victory at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the rivals marked the occasion with a team picture on the pitch.
On this occasion, the script were flipped.
Nick Woltemade's mistake proved decisive to deliver Sunderland a historic win over their rivals in the first Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to mimic Newcastle's post-match snapshot at full-time.
“Always unpredictable, creative, adaptive,” said with a grin Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when pressed about who suggested the idea.
Defender Dan Ballard, who was unfortunate to score an own goal in that previous encounter, was the sole Sunderland player to start in each of the games.
He explained how he was eager to rectify the loss, stating: “Words can't express it. It was heartbreaking for the players and for the fans. We felt we had disappointed them, so we're ecstatic with this win.”
“It served as motivation. We came in with more quality in this team, true characters, we stuck in there, fought really hard and I thought we earned the win.”
‘Local clashes are must-wins, by any means necessary’
Seventh-placed Sunderland are having a outstanding return to the top flight post 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 still unbeaten in the league at the Stadium of Light, which was filled with an electric atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon.
“Derbies, you have to win, it does not matter how,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team deserves much more – where we are in the league is incredible 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 over a decade ago.
Manager Regis le Bris said he was “proud and happy” 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 outstanding.”
“It's good for the local community, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a huge game, but we have to turn the page as we have another tough challenge in Brighton in one week.”
