Sunderland Stage Famous Magpies Group Snapshot Following ‘Special’ Local Rivalry Victory.
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 visitors commemorated the moment with a group photo on the pitch.
On this occasion, the roles were reversed.
Nick Woltemade's unfortunate deflection proved enough to give Sunderland a memorable win over their rivals in the inaugural Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to stage their own version of Newcastle's celebratory snapshot at full-time.
“Always unpredictable, creative, adaptive,” remarked Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when pressed about who came up with the idea.
Defender Dan Ballard, who was unfortunate to score an own goal in that cup defeat, was the sole Sunderland player to be in the starting XI in the two games.
He explained how he desperately wanted to make amends for the loss, stating: “It's indescribable. It was agonizing for the players and for the fans. We felt we had failed them, so we're ecstatic with this win.”
“That experience hardened us. We came in with greater talent in this team, strong personalities, we dug deep, fought really hard and I thought we earned the win.”
‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’
Occupying seventh spot Sunderland are enjoying a outstanding return to the top flight post 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 undefeated in the league at the Stadium of Light, which was filled with an incredible 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 remarkable 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 “extremely pleased” with the performance.
“It was a derby and we were carrying the hopes of our fans,” he added. “This win is well deserved, we were disciplined 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 reset quickly as we have another difficult test in Brighton in one week.”
