🔗 Share this article The Black Cats Recreate Notorious Newcastle Team Photo In the Wake of ‘Special’ Derby Win. Sunderland players and staff posed for a picture to mark their win over their rivals. A different manager and a largely changed squad – but those involved at Sunderland wasn't going to forget. Almost 24 months prior, after a comprehensive Magpies victory at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the rivals marked the occasion with a group photo on the pitch. This time, the roles were reversed. Nick Woltemade's mistake proved enough to give Sunderland a long-awaited win over their rivals in the first Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to mimic Newcastle's post-match snapshot at full-time. “Forever inventive, resourceful, flexible,” smiled Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when questioned about who came up with the photograph. Defender Dan Ballard, who conceded an own goal in that previous encounter, was the lone Sunderland player to feature from the beginning in each of the games. He disclosed how he desperately wanted to make amends for the loss, stating: “You cannot describe [the feeling]. It was heartbreaking for the players and for the fans. We felt we had failed them, so we're ecstatic 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 deliberately echoed this picture from Newcastle's cup win over the Black Cats. ‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’ Seventh-placed Sunderland are enjoying a superb return to the top flight post promotion via the play-offs last season. The Black Cats have 26 points on the board in 16 games, their most 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 had an feverish 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 back in August 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 fully merited, we were composed and the lads were incredible.” “It's good for the area, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a huge game, but we have to refocus immediately as we have another hard game 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 win over their rivals. A different manager and a largely changed squad – but those involved at Sunderland wasn't going to forget. Almost 24 months prior, after a comprehensive Magpies victory at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the rivals marked the occasion with a group photo on the pitch. This time, the roles were reversed. Nick Woltemade's mistake proved enough to give Sunderland a long-awaited win over their rivals in the first Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to mimic Newcastle's post-match snapshot at full-time. “Forever inventive, resourceful, flexible,” smiled Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when questioned about who came up with the photograph. Defender Dan Ballard, who conceded an own goal in that previous encounter, was the lone Sunderland player to feature from the beginning in each of the games. He disclosed how he desperately wanted to make amends for the loss, stating: “You cannot describe [the feeling]. It was heartbreaking for the players and for the fans. We felt we had failed them, so we're ecstatic 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 deliberately echoed this picture from Newcastle's cup win over the Black Cats. ‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’ Seventh-placed Sunderland are enjoying a superb return to the top flight post promotion via the play-offs last season. The Black Cats have 26 points on the board in 16 games, their most 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 had an feverish 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 back in August 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 fully merited, we were composed and the lads were incredible.” “It's good for the area, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a huge game, but we have to refocus immediately as we have another hard game in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light chose not to show Newcastle's name.