🔗 Share this article The Black Cats Recreate Notorious Newcastle Group Snapshot After Crucial Derby Win. Sunderland players and staff posed for a picture to mark their success over their rivals. A different manager and an almost completely different team – but someone at Sunderland wasn't going to forget. Nearly two years ago, after Newcastle's thumping 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the rivals celebrated with a full squad photograph on the pitch. On this occasion, the roles were flipped. Nick Woltemade's own goal 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 iconic snapshot at full-time. “Always unpredictable, creative, adaptive,” remarked Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when pressed about who proposed the idea. Defender Dan Ballard, who was unfortunate to score an own goal in that 2024 FA Cup tie, was the lone Sunderland player to start in the two games. He disclosed how he desperately wanted to rectify the loss, stating: “You cannot describe [the feeling]. It was so painful for the players and for the fans. We felt we had disappointed them, so we're delighted with this win.” “It served as motivation. We came in with more quality in this team, true characters, we persevered, fought really hard and I thought we earned the win.” Sunderland paid homage to this picture from Newcastle's previous triumph over the Black Cats. ‘Derbies you have to win, it does not matter how’ Occupying seventh spot Sunderland are experiencing a superb return to the top flight following 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 feverish atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon. “In local rivalry matches, the result is everything, the performance secondary,” 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 without a loss 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 “delighted and satisfied” with the performance. “It was a derby and we were carrying the hopes of our fans,” he stated. “This win is well deserved, we were disciplined and the lads were incredible.” “It's positive for the region, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a unique 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 pointedly omitted Newcastle's name.
Sunderland players and staff posed for a picture to mark their success over their rivals. A different manager and an almost completely different team – but someone at Sunderland wasn't going to forget. Nearly two years ago, after Newcastle's thumping 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the rivals celebrated with a full squad photograph on the pitch. On this occasion, the roles were flipped. Nick Woltemade's own goal 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 iconic snapshot at full-time. “Always unpredictable, creative, adaptive,” remarked Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when pressed about who proposed the idea. Defender Dan Ballard, who was unfortunate to score an own goal in that 2024 FA Cup tie, was the lone Sunderland player to start in the two games. He disclosed how he desperately wanted to rectify the loss, stating: “You cannot describe [the feeling]. It was so painful for the players and for the fans. We felt we had disappointed them, so we're delighted with this win.” “It served as motivation. We came in with more quality in this team, true characters, we persevered, fought really hard and I thought we earned the win.” Sunderland paid homage to this picture from Newcastle's previous triumph over the Black Cats. ‘Derbies you have to win, it does not matter how’ Occupying seventh spot Sunderland are experiencing a superb return to the top flight following 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 feverish atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon. “In local rivalry matches, the result is everything, the performance secondary,” 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 without a loss 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 “delighted and satisfied” with the performance. “It was a derby and we were carrying the hopes of our fans,” he stated. “This win is well deserved, we were disciplined and the lads were incredible.” “It's positive for the region, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a unique 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 pointedly omitted Newcastle's name.