Sunderland Mimic Famous Magpies Squad Picture Following Crucial Local Rivalry Triumph.
A different manager and a vastly altered lineup – but the club at Sunderland had a long memory.
Almost 24 months prior, after a dominant Newcastle performance at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the rivals marked the occasion with a team picture on the pitch.
Now, the situation were flipped.
Nick Woltemade's unfortunate deflection proved decisive to hand Sunderland a long-awaited win over their rivals in the return of the Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to mimic Newcastle's post-match snapshot at full-time.
“Always unpredictable, creative, adaptive,” said with a grin Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who suggested the photograph.
Defender Dan Ballard, who conceded an own goal in that 2024 FA Cup tie, was the only Sunderland player to be in the starting XI in the two games.
He revealed how he was eager 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 disappointed them, so we're delighted with this win.”
“That experience hardened us. We came in with greater talent in this team, strong personalities, we dug deep, fought really hard and I thought we merited the win.”
‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’
Seventh-placed Sunderland are experiencing a excellent return to the top flight following promotion via the play-offs last season.
The Black Cats have a tally of 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 had an feverish atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon.
“These games are all about the victory, by hook or by crook,” 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 undefeated 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 well deserved, we were mature and the lads were outstanding.”
“It's good for the region, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a special game, but we have to reset quickly as we have another difficult test in Brighton in one week.”
