Sunderland Recreate Notorious Newcastle Group Snapshot Following ‘Special’ Local Rivalry Triumph.
An altered coaching staff and an almost completely different team – but those involved at Sunderland had a long memory.
Nearly two years ago, after a dominant Newcastle performance at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the visitors commemorated the moment with a team picture on the pitch.
On this occasion, the roles were flipped.
Nick Woltemade's mistake proved enough to give Sunderland a memorable win over their rivals in the inaugural Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to mimic Newcastle's post-match snapshot at full-time.
“Always unpredictable, creative, adaptive,” smiled Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who proposed the gesture.
Defender Dan Ballard, who conceded an own goal in that 2024 FA Cup tie, was the sole Sunderland player to start in the two games.
He revealed how he was determined to rectify the loss, stating: “Words can't express it. It was so painful for the players and for the fans. We felt we had let them down, so we're delighted with this win.”
“That experience hardened us. We came in with greater talent in this team, real leaders, we persevered, fought really hard and I thought we deserved the win.”
‘Local clashes are must-wins, by any means necessary’
Sitting in seventh Sunderland are having a superb return to the top flight post 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 still unbeaten 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 deserves much more – where we are in the league is amazing 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 back in August 2011.
Manager Regis le Bris said he was “delighted and satisfied” with the outcome.
“It was a derby and we were expected [to win] 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 unique game, but we have to reset quickly as we have another hard game in Brighton in one week.”
