Sunderland Recreate Famous Newcastle Team Photo In the Wake of Pivotal Derby Win.
A different manager and a vastly altered lineup – but the club at Sunderland had a long memory.
Almost 24 months prior, after a comprehensive Magpies victory at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies celebrated with a group photo on the pitch.
Now, the roles were turned on their head.
Nick Woltemade's own goal proved decisive to give Sunderland a historic win over their rivals in the return of the Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to stage their own version of Newcastle's iconic snapshot at full-time.
“Forever inventive, resourceful, flexible,” remarked Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who proposed the gesture.
Defender Dan Ballard, who scored an own goal in that 2024 FA Cup tie, was the sole Sunderland player to feature from the beginning in the two games.
He revealed how he desperately wanted to rectify the loss, stating: “Words can't express it. It was heartbreaking for the players and for the fans. We felt we had disappointed them, so we're ecstatic with this win.”
“That experience hardened us. We came in with greater talent in this team, true characters, we dug deep, fought really hard and I thought we earned the win.”
‘Local clashes are must-wins, by any means necessary’
Occupying seventh spot Sunderland are having a excellent return to the top flight after promotion via the play-offs last season.
The Black Cats have 26 points on the board in 16 games, their most 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 amazing 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 all the way back in 2011.
Manager Regis le Bris said he was “delighted and satisfied” with the performance.
“It was a derby and we were expected [to win] of our fans,” he added. “This win is rightfully earned, we were disciplined and the lads were incredible.”
“It's fantastic for the region, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a unique game, but we have to refocus immediately as we have another difficult test in Brighton in one week.”
