Sunderland Mimic Iconic Magpies Squad Picture In the Wake of Crucial Derby Victory.
New leadership and a vastly altered lineup – but the club at Sunderland had a long memory.
Back in 2024, after a dominant Newcastle performance at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies celebrated with a full squad photograph on the pitch.
On this occasion, the roles were turned on their head.
Nick Woltemade's own goal proved sufficient to hand Sunderland a long-awaited win over their rivals in the first Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to recreate Newcastle's celebratory snapshot at full-time.
“Consistently original, imaginative, versatile,” said with a grin Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when pressed about who proposed the gesture.
Defender Dan Ballard, who conceded an own goal in that previous encounter, was the sole Sunderland player to feature from the beginning in each of the games.
He disclosed how he was eager to rectify the loss, stating: “Words can't express it. It was agonizing for the players and for the fans. We felt we had disappointed them, so we're ecstatic with this win.”
“It prepared us more for today. We came in with greater talent in this team, strong personalities, we dug deep, fought really hard and I thought we merited the win.”
‘Derbies you have to win, it does not matter how’
Occupying seventh spot Sunderland are experiencing 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 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 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 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 all the way back in 2011.
Manager Regis le Bris said he was “proud and happy” with the outcome.
“It was a derby and we were carrying the hopes of our fans,” he added. “This win is well deserved, we were mature and the lads were incredible.”
“It's good for the local community, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a special game, but we have to refocus immediately as we have another hard game in Brighton in one week.”
