🔗 Share this article The Black Cats Mimic Notorious Magpies Group Snapshot Following ‘Special’ Local Rivalry Victory. A commemorative snap was taken by the squad to celebrate their success over their arch-rivals. New leadership and a largely changed squad – but those involved at Sunderland remembered vividly. Almost 24 months prior, after Newcastle's thumping 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies celebrated with a full squad photograph on the pitch. This time, the situation were flipped. Nick Woltemade's unfortunate deflection proved sufficient to give Sunderland a long-awaited win over their rivals in the first Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to stage their own version of Newcastle's iconic snapshot at full-time. “Always unpredictable, creative, adaptive,” smiled Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who proposed the gesture. Defender Dan Ballard, who conceded an own goal in that 2024 FA Cup tie, was the only Sunderland player to be in the starting XI in both games. He revealed how he was eager to avenge the loss, stating: “It's indescribable. It was heartbreaking for the players and for the fans. We felt we had failed them, so we're delighted with this win.” “It served as motivation. We came in with more quality in this team, strong personalities, we dug deep, fought really hard and I thought we deserved the win.” Sunderland paid homage to this picture from Newcastle's cup win over the Black Cats. ‘Derbies you have to win, it does not matter how’ Occupying seventh spot Sunderland are having a outstanding return to the top flight following promotion via the play-offs last season. The Black Cats have a tally of 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 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 merits greater recognition – where we are in the league is remarkable and we're working really hard.” Sunderland are also without a loss 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 back in August 2011. Manager Regis le Bris said he was “proud and happy” with the performance. “It was a derby and we were expected [to win] of our fans,” he added. “This win is fully merited, we were composed and the lads were outstanding.” “It's positive 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 difficult test in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light pointedly omitted Newcastle's name.
A commemorative snap was taken by the squad to celebrate their success over their arch-rivals. New leadership and a largely changed squad – but those involved at Sunderland remembered vividly. Almost 24 months prior, after Newcastle's thumping 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies celebrated with a full squad photograph on the pitch. This time, the situation were flipped. Nick Woltemade's unfortunate deflection proved sufficient to give Sunderland a long-awaited win over their rivals in the first Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to stage their own version of Newcastle's iconic snapshot at full-time. “Always unpredictable, creative, adaptive,” smiled Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who proposed the gesture. Defender Dan Ballard, who conceded an own goal in that 2024 FA Cup tie, was the only Sunderland player to be in the starting XI in both games. He revealed how he was eager to avenge the loss, stating: “It's indescribable. It was heartbreaking for the players and for the fans. We felt we had failed them, so we're delighted with this win.” “It served as motivation. We came in with more quality in this team, strong personalities, we dug deep, fought really hard and I thought we deserved the win.” Sunderland paid homage to this picture from Newcastle's cup win over the Black Cats. ‘Derbies you have to win, it does not matter how’ Occupying seventh spot Sunderland are having a outstanding return to the top flight following promotion via the play-offs last season. The Black Cats have a tally of 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 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 merits greater recognition – where we are in the league is remarkable and we're working really hard.” Sunderland are also without a loss 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 back in August 2011. Manager Regis le Bris said he was “proud and happy” with the performance. “It was a derby and we were expected [to win] of our fans,” he added. “This win is fully merited, we were composed and the lads were outstanding.” “It's positive 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 difficult test in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light pointedly omitted Newcastle's name.