🔗 Share this article Sunderland Stage Notorious Newcastle Squad Picture In the Wake of ‘Special’ Local Rivalry Win. Sunderland players and staff posed for a picture to mark their success over their local foes. A different manager and a vastly altered lineup – but someone at Sunderland wasn't going to forget. Nearly two years ago, after a comprehensive Magpies victory at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies commemorated the moment with a full squad photograph on the pitch. On this occasion, the situation were turned on their head. Nick Woltemade's mistake proved enough to give Sunderland a historic win over their rivals in the first Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to recreate Newcastle's celebratory snapshot at full-time. “Consistently original, imaginative, versatile,” smiled Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who suggested the idea. Defender Dan Ballard, who scored an own goal in that previous encounter, was the only Sunderland player to be in the starting XI in each of the games. He revealed how he desperately wanted to make amends for 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 overjoyed with this win.” “It prepared us more for today. We came in with improved ability in this team, strong personalities, 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. ‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’ Sitting in seventh Sunderland are enjoying a excellent 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 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. “These games are all about the victory, by hook or by crook,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team is worthy of more respect – where we are in the league is remarkable and we're working really hard.” Sunderland are also undefeated in their last 10 league games against Newcastle, their most extended period without defeat against the Magpies. Newcastle's last league win over Sunderland was over a decade ago. Manager Regis le Bris said he was “proud and happy” with the result. “It was a derby and we were carrying the hopes of our fans,” he continued. “This win is fully merited, we were composed and the lads were superb.” “It's positive for the local community, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a huge game, but we have to reset quickly as we have another difficult test in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light pointedly omitted Newcastle's name.
Sunderland players and staff posed for a picture to mark their success over their local foes. A different manager and a vastly altered lineup – but someone at Sunderland wasn't going to forget. Nearly two years ago, after a comprehensive Magpies victory at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies commemorated the moment with a full squad photograph on the pitch. On this occasion, the situation were turned on their head. Nick Woltemade's mistake proved enough to give Sunderland a historic win over their rivals in the first Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to recreate Newcastle's celebratory snapshot at full-time. “Consistently original, imaginative, versatile,” smiled Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who suggested the idea. Defender Dan Ballard, who scored an own goal in that previous encounter, was the only Sunderland player to be in the starting XI in each of the games. He revealed how he desperately wanted to make amends for 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 overjoyed with this win.” “It prepared us more for today. We came in with improved ability in this team, strong personalities, 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. ‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’ Sitting in seventh Sunderland are enjoying a excellent 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 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. “These games are all about the victory, by hook or by crook,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team is worthy of more respect – where we are in the league is remarkable and we're working really hard.” Sunderland are also undefeated in their last 10 league games against Newcastle, their most extended period without defeat against the Magpies. Newcastle's last league win over Sunderland was over a decade ago. Manager Regis le Bris said he was “proud and happy” with the result. “It was a derby and we were carrying the hopes of our fans,” he continued. “This win is fully merited, we were composed and the lads were superb.” “It's positive for the local community, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a huge game, but we have to reset quickly as we have another difficult test in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light pointedly omitted Newcastle's name.