🔗 Share this article The Black Cats Recreate Iconic Magpies Team Photo Following Crucial Local Rivalry Victory. Sunderland players and staff posed for a picture to commemorate their success over their arch-rivals. New leadership and an almost completely different team – but those involved at Sunderland had a long memory. Back in 2024, after a comprehensive Magpies victory at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies marked the occasion with a full squad photograph on the pitch. Now, the roles were reversed. Nick Woltemade's unfortunate deflection proved decisive to deliver Sunderland a long-awaited win over their rivals in the inaugural Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to recreate Newcastle's celebratory snapshot at full-time. “Always unpredictable, creative, adaptive,” remarked Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when questioned 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 feature from the beginning in each of the games. He explained how he was determined to avenge the loss, stating: “You cannot describe [the feeling]. 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 greater talent in this team, strong personalities, we stuck in there, fought really hard and I thought we merited 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 enjoying a outstanding return to the top flight post promotion via the play-offs last season. The Black Cats have 26 points in 16 games, their highest total 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 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 incredible and we're working really hard.” Sunderland are also unbeaten in their last 10 league games against Newcastle, their longest such run 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 performance. “It was a derby and we were expected [to win] of our fans,” he stated. “This win is well deserved, we were disciplined and the lads were outstanding.” “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 did not display Newcastle's name.
Sunderland players and staff posed for a picture to commemorate their success over their arch-rivals. New leadership and an almost completely different team – but those involved at Sunderland had a long memory. Back in 2024, after a comprehensive Magpies victory at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies marked the occasion with a full squad photograph on the pitch. Now, the roles were reversed. Nick Woltemade's unfortunate deflection proved decisive to deliver Sunderland a long-awaited win over their rivals in the inaugural Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to recreate Newcastle's celebratory snapshot at full-time. “Always unpredictable, creative, adaptive,” remarked Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when questioned 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 feature from the beginning in each of the games. He explained how he was determined to avenge the loss, stating: “You cannot describe [the feeling]. 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 greater talent in this team, strong personalities, we stuck in there, fought really hard and I thought we merited 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 enjoying a outstanding return to the top flight post promotion via the play-offs last season. The Black Cats have 26 points in 16 games, their highest total 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 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 incredible and we're working really hard.” Sunderland are also unbeaten in their last 10 league games against Newcastle, their longest such run 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 performance. “It was a derby and we were expected [to win] of our fans,” he stated. “This win is well deserved, we were disciplined and the lads were outstanding.” “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 did not display Newcastle's name.