The Black Cats Recreate Notorious Magpies Team Photo Following ‘Special’ Derby Triumph.
A different manager and an almost completely different team – but the club at Sunderland had a long memory.
Back in 2024, after a comprehensive Magpies victory at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the visitors commemorated the moment with a group photo on the pitch.
This time, the situation were flipped.
Nick Woltemade's mistake proved decisive to give Sunderland a historic win over their rivals in the return of the Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to recreate Newcastle's post-match snapshot at full-time.
“Consistently original, imaginative, versatile,” said with a grin Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who proposed the gesture.
Defender Dan Ballard, who scored an own goal in that 2024 FA Cup tie, was the only Sunderland player to feature from the beginning in the two games.
He revealed how he was determined to avenge the loss, stating: “You cannot describe [the feeling]. It was heartbreaking for the players and for the fans. We felt we had failed them, so we're ecstatic with this win.”
“It prepared us more for today. We came in with greater talent in this team, real leaders, we stuck in there, fought really hard and I thought we deserved the win.”
‘Derbies you have to win, it does not matter how’
Seventh-placed Sunderland are enjoying a superb 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 yet to lose in the league at the Stadium of Light, which had an electric 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 incredible and we're working really hard.”
Sunderland are also unbeaten 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 “proud and happy” with the result.
“It was a derby and we were under pressure to deliver of our fans,” he stated. “This win is well deserved, we were mature and the lads were outstanding.”
“It's good for the area, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a huge game, but we have to refocus immediately as we have another hard game in Brighton in one week.”
