🔗 Share this article The Black Cats Mimic Famous Magpies Team Photo After ‘Special’ Local Rivalry Victory. Sunderland players and staff posed for a picture to mark their win over their local foes. An altered coaching staff and an almost completely different team – but someone at Sunderland remembered vividly. Back in 2024, after Newcastle's thumping 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the rivals commemorated the moment with a full squad photograph on the pitch. On this occasion, the script were turned on their head. Nick Woltemade's own goal proved enough to deliver Sunderland a memorable win over their rivals in the first Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to recreate Newcastle's post-match 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 conceded an own goal in that 2024 FA Cup tie, was the sole Sunderland player to be in the starting XI in the two games. He explained how he desperately wanted to avenge 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 delighted with this win.” “It served as motivation. We came in with more quality in this team, true characters, we stuck in there, fought really hard and I thought we merited the win.” Sunderland paid homage to this picture from Newcastle's previous triumph over the Black Cats. ‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’ Occupying seventh spot Sunderland are experiencing 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 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 was filled with an electric atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon. “These games are all about the victory, by hook or by crook,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team is worthy of more respect – where we are in the league is incredible and we're working really hard.” Sunderland are also unbeaten 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 “proud and happy” with the outcome. “It was a derby and we were under pressure to deliver of our fans,” he added. “This win is fully merited, we were mature and the lads were outstanding.” “It's fantastic 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 hard game 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 win over their local foes. An altered coaching staff and an almost completely different team – but someone at Sunderland remembered vividly. Back in 2024, after Newcastle's thumping 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the rivals commemorated the moment with a full squad photograph on the pitch. On this occasion, the script were turned on their head. Nick Woltemade's own goal proved enough to deliver Sunderland a memorable win over their rivals in the first Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to recreate Newcastle's post-match 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 conceded an own goal in that 2024 FA Cup tie, was the sole Sunderland player to be in the starting XI in the two games. He explained how he desperately wanted to avenge 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 delighted with this win.” “It served as motivation. We came in with more quality in this team, true characters, we stuck in there, fought really hard and I thought we merited the win.” Sunderland paid homage to this picture from Newcastle's previous triumph over the Black Cats. ‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’ Occupying seventh spot Sunderland are experiencing 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 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 was filled with an electric atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon. “These games are all about the victory, by hook or by crook,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team is worthy of more respect – where we are in the league is incredible and we're working really hard.” Sunderland are also unbeaten 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 “proud and happy” with the outcome. “It was a derby and we were under pressure to deliver of our fans,” he added. “This win is fully merited, we were mature and the lads were outstanding.” “It's fantastic 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 hard game in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light pointedly omitted Newcastle's name.