🔗 Share this article Sunderland Stage Iconic Magpies Team Photo In the Wake of ‘Special’ Derby Win. Sunderland players and staff posed for a picture to mark their win over their arch-rivals. An altered coaching staff and an almost completely different team – but someone at Sunderland remembered vividly. Nearly two years ago, after Newcastle's thumping 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the rivals marked the occasion with a group photo on the pitch. On this occasion, the script were flipped. Nick Woltemade's own goal proved enough 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 stage their own version of Newcastle's celebratory snapshot at full-time. “Consistently original, imaginative, versatile,” remarked Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when pressed about who proposed the gesture. Defender Dan Ballard, who conceded an own goal in that cup defeat, was the lone Sunderland player to feature from the beginning in the two games. He disclosed how he was determined to rectify the loss, stating: “Words can't express it. It was agonizing for the players and for the fans. We felt we had failed them, so we're delighted 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 2024 FA Cup victory over the Black Cats. ‘Derbies you have to win, it does not matter how’ Sitting in seventh Sunderland are experiencing a superb return to the top flight following 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 had an electric atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon. “These games are all about the victory, by hook or by crook,” 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 “delighted and satisfied” with the result. “It was a derby and we were expected [to win] of our fans,” he added. “This win is rightfully earned, we were mature and the lads were outstanding.” “It's good for the area, 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.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light chose not to show Newcastle's name.
Sunderland players and staff posed for a picture to mark their win over their arch-rivals. An altered coaching staff and an almost completely different team – but someone at Sunderland remembered vividly. Nearly two years ago, after Newcastle's thumping 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the rivals marked the occasion with a group photo on the pitch. On this occasion, the script were flipped. Nick Woltemade's own goal proved enough 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 stage their own version of Newcastle's celebratory snapshot at full-time. “Consistently original, imaginative, versatile,” remarked Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when pressed about who proposed the gesture. Defender Dan Ballard, who conceded an own goal in that cup defeat, was the lone Sunderland player to feature from the beginning in the two games. He disclosed how he was determined to rectify the loss, stating: “Words can't express it. It was agonizing for the players and for the fans. We felt we had failed them, so we're delighted 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 2024 FA Cup victory over the Black Cats. ‘Derbies you have to win, it does not matter how’ Sitting in seventh Sunderland are experiencing a superb return to the top flight following 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 had an electric atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon. “These games are all about the victory, by hook or by crook,” 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 “delighted and satisfied” with the result. “It was a derby and we were expected [to win] of our fans,” he added. “This win is rightfully earned, we were mature and the lads were outstanding.” “It's good for the area, 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.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light chose not to show Newcastle's name.