🔗 Share this article Sunderland Mimic Notorious Newcastle Team Photo Following Crucial Derby Win. The team gathered for a celebratory photograph to mark their win over their arch-rivals. New leadership and a vastly altered lineup – but the club at Sunderland had a long memory. Back in 2024, after a dominant Newcastle performance at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the rivals celebrated with a group photo on the pitch. This time, the script were reversed. Nick Woltemade's own goal proved enough to give Sunderland a long-awaited win over their rivals in the return of the Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to recreate Newcastle's celebratory snapshot at full-time. “Forever inventive, resourceful, flexible,” remarked Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who came up with the gesture. Defender Dan Ballard, who scored an own goal in that previous encounter, was the only Sunderland player to feature from the beginning in both games. He explained how he was eager to rectify the loss, stating: “It's indescribable. It was agonizing for the players and for the fans. We felt we had failed them, so we're ecstatic with this win.” “That experience hardened us. 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 2024 FA Cup victory over the Black Cats. ‘Local clashes are must-wins, by any means necessary’ Sitting in seventh Sunderland are having 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 highest total 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 merits greater recognition – 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 “delighted and satisfied” with the outcome. “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 superb.” “It's fantastic for the local community, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a special game, but we have to refocus immediately as we have another tough challenge 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 win over their arch-rivals. New leadership and a vastly altered lineup – but the club at Sunderland had a long memory. Back in 2024, after a dominant Newcastle performance at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the rivals celebrated with a group photo on the pitch. This time, the script were reversed. Nick Woltemade's own goal proved enough to give Sunderland a long-awaited win over their rivals in the return of the Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to recreate Newcastle's celebratory snapshot at full-time. “Forever inventive, resourceful, flexible,” remarked Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who came up with the gesture. Defender Dan Ballard, who scored an own goal in that previous encounter, was the only Sunderland player to feature from the beginning in both games. He explained how he was eager to rectify the loss, stating: “It's indescribable. It was agonizing for the players and for the fans. We felt we had failed them, so we're ecstatic with this win.” “That experience hardened us. 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 2024 FA Cup victory over the Black Cats. ‘Local clashes are must-wins, by any means necessary’ Sitting in seventh Sunderland are having 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 highest total 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 merits greater recognition – 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 “delighted and satisfied” with the outcome. “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 superb.” “It's fantastic for the local community, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a special game, but we have to refocus immediately as we have another tough challenge in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light did not display Newcastle's name.