🔗 Share this article Sunderland Recreate Notorious Newcastle Team Photo In the Wake of Crucial Derby Win. Sunderland players and staff posed for a picture to mark their victory over their local foes. New leadership and a largely changed squad – but someone at Sunderland wasn't going to forget. Back in 2024, after a dominant Newcastle performance at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the visitors commemorated the moment with a team picture on the pitch. Now, the situation were flipped. Nick Woltemade's own goal 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 mimic Newcastle's iconic snapshot at full-time. “Always unpredictable, creative, adaptive,” said with a grin Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who came up with the photograph. Defender Dan Ballard, who was unfortunate to score an own goal in that 2024 FA Cup tie, was the only Sunderland player to be in the starting XI in the two games. He explained how he was determined 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 ecstatic with this win.” “It served as motivation. We came in with more quality in this team, strong personalities, we dug deep, fought really hard and I thought we merited the win.” Sunderland recreated this picture from Newcastle's previous triumph over the Black Cats. ‘Derbies you have to win, it does not matter how’ Seventh-placed Sunderland are experiencing a outstanding 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 yet to lose in the league at the Stadium of Light, which was filled with an incredible atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon. “In local rivalry matches, the result is everything, the performance secondary,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team is worthy of more respect – where we are in the league is amazing and we're working really hard.” Sunderland are also unbeaten 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 all the way back in 2011. Manager Regis le Bris said he was “delighted and satisfied” with the outcome. “It was a derby and we were under pressure to deliver of our fans,” he continued. “This win is rightfully earned, we were composed and the lads were incredible.” “It's fantastic for the area, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a special game, but we have to turn the page as we have another tough challenge in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light chose not to show Newcastle's name.
Sunderland players and staff posed for a picture to mark their victory over their local foes. New leadership and a largely changed squad – but someone at Sunderland wasn't going to forget. Back in 2024, after a dominant Newcastle performance at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the visitors commemorated the moment with a team picture on the pitch. Now, the situation were flipped. Nick Woltemade's own goal 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 mimic Newcastle's iconic snapshot at full-time. “Always unpredictable, creative, adaptive,” said with a grin Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who came up with the photograph. Defender Dan Ballard, who was unfortunate to score an own goal in that 2024 FA Cup tie, was the only Sunderland player to be in the starting XI in the two games. He explained how he was determined 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 ecstatic with this win.” “It served as motivation. We came in with more quality in this team, strong personalities, we dug deep, fought really hard and I thought we merited the win.” Sunderland recreated this picture from Newcastle's previous triumph over the Black Cats. ‘Derbies you have to win, it does not matter how’ Seventh-placed Sunderland are experiencing a outstanding 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 yet to lose in the league at the Stadium of Light, which was filled with an incredible atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon. “In local rivalry matches, the result is everything, the performance secondary,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team is worthy of more respect – where we are in the league is amazing and we're working really hard.” Sunderland are also unbeaten 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 all the way back in 2011. Manager Regis le Bris said he was “delighted and satisfied” with the outcome. “It was a derby and we were under pressure to deliver of our fans,” he continued. “This win is rightfully earned, we were composed and the lads were incredible.” “It's fantastic for the area, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a special game, but we have to turn the page as we have another tough challenge in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light chose not to show Newcastle's name.