🔗 Share this article The Black Cats Stage Notorious Newcastle Squad Picture After Pivotal Derby Victory. The team gathered for a celebratory photograph to celebrate their win over their rivals. An altered coaching staff and a vastly altered lineup – but those involved at Sunderland remembered vividly. Almost 24 months prior, after a comprehensive Magpies victory at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies marked the occasion with a team picture on the pitch. Now, the script were reversed. Nick Woltemade's mistake proved sufficient to deliver Sunderland a historic 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 pressed about who proposed the gesture. Defender Dan Ballard, who was unfortunate to score an own goal in that 2024 FA Cup tie, was the only Sunderland player to start in both games. He explained how he desperately wanted to avenge the loss, stating: “You cannot describe [the feeling]. It was so painful 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 improved ability in this team, true characters, we stuck in there, fought really hard and I thought we earned the win.” Sunderland recreated this picture from Newcastle's cup win over the Black Cats. ‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’ Occupying seventh spot Sunderland are experiencing 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 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 boasted an incredible 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 incredible and we're working really hard.” Sunderland are also without a loss in their last 10 league games against Newcastle, their best-ever streak without defeat against the Magpies. Newcastle's last league win over Sunderland was over a decade ago. Manager Regis le Bris said he was “extremely pleased” with the result. “It was a derby and we were expected [to win] of our fans,” he continued. “This win is rightfully earned, we were mature and the lads were incredible.” “It's good 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 hard game 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 celebrate their win over their rivals. An altered coaching staff and a vastly altered lineup – but those involved at Sunderland remembered vividly. Almost 24 months prior, after a comprehensive Magpies victory at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies marked the occasion with a team picture on the pitch. Now, the script were reversed. Nick Woltemade's mistake proved sufficient to deliver Sunderland a historic 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 pressed about who proposed the gesture. Defender Dan Ballard, who was unfortunate to score an own goal in that 2024 FA Cup tie, was the only Sunderland player to start in both games. He explained how he desperately wanted to avenge the loss, stating: “You cannot describe [the feeling]. It was so painful 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 improved ability in this team, true characters, we stuck in there, fought really hard and I thought we earned the win.” Sunderland recreated this picture from Newcastle's cup win over the Black Cats. ‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’ Occupying seventh spot Sunderland are experiencing 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 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 boasted an incredible 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 incredible and we're working really hard.” Sunderland are also without a loss in their last 10 league games against Newcastle, their best-ever streak without defeat against the Magpies. Newcastle's last league win over Sunderland was over a decade ago. Manager Regis le Bris said he was “extremely pleased” with the result. “It was a derby and we were expected [to win] of our fans,” he continued. “This win is rightfully earned, we were mature and the lads were incredible.” “It's good 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 hard game in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light chose not to show Newcastle's name.