🔗 Share this article The Black Cats Mimic Famous Magpies Squad Picture After ‘Special’ Derby Triumph. The team gathered for a celebratory photograph to celebrate their win over their local foes. A different manager and a largely changed squad – 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 rivals celebrated with a full squad photograph on the pitch. On this occasion, the situation were flipped. Nick Woltemade's unfortunate deflection proved decisive to hand Sunderland a memorable win over their rivals in the first Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to stage their own version of Newcastle's celebratory snapshot at full-time. “Always unpredictable, creative, adaptive,” smiled Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when pressed about who proposed the gesture. Defender Dan Ballard, who was unfortunate to score an own goal in that 2024 FA Cup tie, was the sole Sunderland player to start in each of the games. He disclosed how he was determined to avenge 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 overjoyed with this win.” “It served as motivation. We came in with greater talent in this team, true characters, we persevered, fought really hard and I thought we deserved the win.” Sunderland recreated this picture from Newcastle's previous triumph over the Black Cats. ‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’ Seventh-placed Sunderland are experiencing a excellent return to the top flight after promotion via the play-offs last season. The Black Cats have a tally of 26 points 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. “Derbies, you have to win, it does not matter how,” 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 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 “extremely pleased” 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 mature and the lads were superb.” “It's good for the area, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a unique game, but we have to turn the page as we have another difficult test in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light pointedly omitted Newcastle's name.
The team gathered for a celebratory photograph to celebrate their win over their local foes. A different manager and a largely changed squad – 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 rivals celebrated with a full squad photograph on the pitch. On this occasion, the situation were flipped. Nick Woltemade's unfortunate deflection proved decisive to hand Sunderland a memorable win over their rivals in the first Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to stage their own version of Newcastle's celebratory snapshot at full-time. “Always unpredictable, creative, adaptive,” smiled Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when pressed about who proposed the gesture. Defender Dan Ballard, who was unfortunate to score an own goal in that 2024 FA Cup tie, was the sole Sunderland player to start in each of the games. He disclosed how he was determined to avenge 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 overjoyed with this win.” “It served as motivation. We came in with greater talent in this team, true characters, we persevered, fought really hard and I thought we deserved the win.” Sunderland recreated this picture from Newcastle's previous triumph over the Black Cats. ‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’ Seventh-placed Sunderland are experiencing a excellent return to the top flight after promotion via the play-offs last season. The Black Cats have a tally of 26 points 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. “Derbies, you have to win, it does not matter how,” 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 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 “extremely pleased” 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 mature and the lads were superb.” “It's good for the area, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a unique game, but we have to turn the page as we have another difficult test in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light pointedly omitted Newcastle's name.