🔗 Share this article Sunderland Mimic Iconic Newcastle Squad Picture After Crucial Local Rivalry Victory. The team gathered for a celebratory photograph to mark their victory over their arch-rivals. New leadership and a vastly altered lineup – but someone at Sunderland remembered vividly. Back in 2024, after Newcastle's thumping 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the rivals marked the occasion with a full squad photograph on the pitch. This time, the script were flipped. Nick Woltemade's unfortunate deflection proved sufficient to deliver Sunderland a historic win over their rivals in the first Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to recreate Newcastle's post-match snapshot at full-time. “Forever inventive, resourceful, flexible,” remarked Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when questioned about who came up with the photograph. Defender Dan Ballard, who was unfortunate to score an own goal in that cup defeat, was the only Sunderland player to start in each of the games. He disclosed how he desperately wanted to make amends for the loss, stating: “Words can't express it. It was heartbreaking for the players and for the fans. We felt we had failed them, so we're ecstatic with this win.” “It prepared us more for today. We came in with more quality in this team, strong personalities, we persevered, fought really hard and I thought we merited the win.” Sunderland deliberately echoed this picture from Newcastle's previous triumph over the Black Cats. ‘Local clashes are must-wins, by any means necessary’ Sitting in seventh Sunderland are experiencing a outstanding return to the top flight after 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 still unbeaten in the league at the Stadium of Light, which was filled with an incredible atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon. “Derbies, you have to win, it does not matter how,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team deserves much more – 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 longest such run without defeat against the Magpies. Newcastle's last league win over Sunderland was over a decade ago. Manager Regis le Bris said he was “delighted and satisfied” with the result. “It was a derby and we were expected [to win] of our fans,” he added. “This win is rightfully earned, we were disciplined and the lads were incredible.” “It's positive for the region, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a unique game, but we have to refocus immediately as we have another difficult test in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light did not display Newcastle's name.
The team gathered for a celebratory photograph to mark their victory over their arch-rivals. New leadership and a vastly altered lineup – but someone at Sunderland remembered vividly. Back in 2024, after Newcastle's thumping 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the rivals marked the occasion with a full squad photograph on the pitch. This time, the script were flipped. Nick Woltemade's unfortunate deflection proved sufficient to deliver Sunderland a historic win over their rivals in the first Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to recreate Newcastle's post-match snapshot at full-time. “Forever inventive, resourceful, flexible,” remarked Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when questioned about who came up with the photograph. Defender Dan Ballard, who was unfortunate to score an own goal in that cup defeat, was the only Sunderland player to start in each of the games. He disclosed how he desperately wanted to make amends for the loss, stating: “Words can't express it. It was heartbreaking for the players and for the fans. We felt we had failed them, so we're ecstatic with this win.” “It prepared us more for today. We came in with more quality in this team, strong personalities, we persevered, fought really hard and I thought we merited the win.” Sunderland deliberately echoed this picture from Newcastle's previous triumph over the Black Cats. ‘Local clashes are must-wins, by any means necessary’ Sitting in seventh Sunderland are experiencing a outstanding return to the top flight after 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 still unbeaten in the league at the Stadium of Light, which was filled with an incredible atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon. “Derbies, you have to win, it does not matter how,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team deserves much more – 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 longest such run without defeat against the Magpies. Newcastle's last league win over Sunderland was over a decade ago. Manager Regis le Bris said he was “delighted and satisfied” with the result. “It was a derby and we were expected [to win] of our fans,” he added. “This win is rightfully earned, we were disciplined and the lads were incredible.” “It's positive for the region, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a unique game, but we have to refocus immediately as we have another difficult test in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light did not display Newcastle's name.