🔗 Share this article Sunderland Recreate Famous Newcastle Group Snapshot Following ‘Special’ Local Rivalry Triumph. The team gathered for a celebratory photograph to commemorate their success over their arch-rivals. An altered coaching staff and a vastly altered lineup – but someone at Sunderland remembered vividly. Nearly two years ago, after a dominant Newcastle performance at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the visitors celebrated with a team picture on the pitch. This time, the situation were turned on their head. Nick Woltemade's own goal proved decisive to hand Sunderland a memorable 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,” smiled Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who suggested the gesture. Defender Dan Ballard, who conceded an own goal in that cup defeat, was the lone Sunderland player to start in each of the games. He revealed how he was determined 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 greater talent in this team, strong personalities, we dug deep, fought really hard and I thought we deserved 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 having a outstanding 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 best return at this stage of a Premier League campaign since 2000-01. They are yet to lose in the league at the Stadium of Light, which had an incredible atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon. “Derbies, you have to win, it does not matter how,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team is worthy of more respect – 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 over a decade ago. Manager Regis le Bris said he was “delighted and satisfied” with the result. “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 outstanding.” “It's fantastic for the local community, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a unique game, but we have to reset quickly 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 commemorate their success over their arch-rivals. An altered coaching staff and a vastly altered lineup – but someone at Sunderland remembered vividly. Nearly two years ago, after a dominant Newcastle performance at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the visitors celebrated with a team picture on the pitch. This time, the situation were turned on their head. Nick Woltemade's own goal proved decisive to hand Sunderland a memorable 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,” smiled Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who suggested the gesture. Defender Dan Ballard, who conceded an own goal in that cup defeat, was the lone Sunderland player to start in each of the games. He revealed how he was determined 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 greater talent in this team, strong personalities, we dug deep, fought really hard and I thought we deserved 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 having a outstanding 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 best return at this stage of a Premier League campaign since 2000-01. They are yet to lose in the league at the Stadium of Light, which had an incredible atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon. “Derbies, you have to win, it does not matter how,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team is worthy of more respect – 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 over a decade ago. Manager Regis le Bris said he was “delighted and satisfied” with the result. “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 outstanding.” “It's fantastic for the local community, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a unique game, but we have to reset quickly as we have another tough challenge in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light did not display Newcastle's name.