🔗 Share this article The Black Cats Mimic Famous Magpies Group Snapshot After Crucial Derby Triumph. Sunderland players and staff posed for a picture to celebrate their victory over their local foes. New leadership and a largely changed squad – but those involved at Sunderland had a long memory. Back in 2024, after Newcastle's thumping 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the rivals celebrated with a group photo on the pitch. This time, the roles were reversed. Nick Woltemade's mistake proved sufficient to give Sunderland a long-awaited win over their rivals in the inaugural 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 pressed about who came up with the photograph. Defender Dan Ballard, who conceded an own goal in that cup defeat, was the lone Sunderland player to start in the two games. He explained how he desperately wanted to make amends for 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 prepared us more for today. We came in with more quality in this team, true characters, we dug deep, fought really hard and I thought we deserved the win.” Sunderland deliberately echoed this picture from Newcastle's cup win over the Black Cats. ‘Derbies you have to win, it does not matter how’ Sitting in seventh Sunderland are enjoying a excellent 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 highest total 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 feverish atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon. “Derbies, you have to win, it does not matter how,” 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 undefeated 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 “extremely pleased” with the result. “It was a derby and we were under pressure to deliver of our fans,” he added. “This win is fully merited, we were composed and the lads were incredible.” “It's positive for the local community, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a unique game, but we have to reset quickly as we have another hard game in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light did not display Newcastle's name.
Sunderland players and staff posed for a picture to celebrate their victory over their local foes. New leadership and a largely changed squad – but those involved at Sunderland had a long memory. Back in 2024, after Newcastle's thumping 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the rivals celebrated with a group photo on the pitch. This time, the roles were reversed. Nick Woltemade's mistake proved sufficient to give Sunderland a long-awaited win over their rivals in the inaugural 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 pressed about who came up with the photograph. Defender Dan Ballard, who conceded an own goal in that cup defeat, was the lone Sunderland player to start in the two games. He explained how he desperately wanted to make amends for 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 prepared us more for today. We came in with more quality in this team, true characters, we dug deep, fought really hard and I thought we deserved the win.” Sunderland deliberately echoed this picture from Newcastle's cup win over the Black Cats. ‘Derbies you have to win, it does not matter how’ Sitting in seventh Sunderland are enjoying a excellent 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 highest total 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 feverish atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon. “Derbies, you have to win, it does not matter how,” 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 undefeated 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 “extremely pleased” with the result. “It was a derby and we were under pressure to deliver of our fans,” he added. “This win is fully merited, we were composed and the lads were incredible.” “It's positive for the local community, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a unique game, but we have to reset quickly as we have another hard game in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light did not display Newcastle's name.