🔗 Share this article The Black Cats Recreate Notorious Magpies Team Photo After Pivotal Derby Triumph. The team gathered for a celebratory photograph to commemorate their success over their rivals. A different manager and an almost completely different team – but the club at Sunderland wasn't going to forget. Nearly two years ago, 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. This time, the script were reversed. 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 iconic snapshot at full-time. “Always unpredictable, creative, adaptive,” remarked Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when questioned about who suggested the idea. Defender Dan Ballard, who scored an own goal in that cup defeat, was the only Sunderland player to start in the two games. He disclosed how he was eager to avenge the loss, stating: “You cannot describe [the feeling]. 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 stuck in there, fought really hard and I thought we earned the win.” Sunderland paid homage to this picture from Newcastle's cup win over the Black Cats. ‘Local clashes are must-wins, by any means necessary’ Seventh-placed Sunderland are having 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 still unbeaten in the league at the Stadium of Light, which boasted an electric 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 remarkable and we're working really hard.” Sunderland are also without a loss 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 “extremely pleased” with the outcome. “It was a derby and we were carrying the hopes of our fans,” he continued. “This win is fully merited, we were composed and the lads were superb.” “It's fantastic for the area, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a huge game, but we have to reset quickly as we have another difficult test in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light chose not to show Newcastle's name.
The team gathered for a celebratory photograph to commemorate their success over their rivals. A different manager and an almost completely different team – but the club at Sunderland wasn't going to forget. Nearly two years ago, 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. This time, the script were reversed. 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 iconic snapshot at full-time. “Always unpredictable, creative, adaptive,” remarked Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when questioned about who suggested the idea. Defender Dan Ballard, who scored an own goal in that cup defeat, was the only Sunderland player to start in the two games. He disclosed how he was eager to avenge the loss, stating: “You cannot describe [the feeling]. 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 stuck in there, fought really hard and I thought we earned the win.” Sunderland paid homage to this picture from Newcastle's cup win over the Black Cats. ‘Local clashes are must-wins, by any means necessary’ Seventh-placed Sunderland are having 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 still unbeaten in the league at the Stadium of Light, which boasted an electric 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 remarkable and we're working really hard.” Sunderland are also without a loss 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 “extremely pleased” with the outcome. “It was a derby and we were carrying the hopes of our fans,” he continued. “This win is fully merited, we were composed and the lads were superb.” “It's fantastic for the area, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a huge game, but we have to reset quickly as we have another difficult test in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light chose not to show Newcastle's name.