🔗 Share this article The Black Cats Stage Iconic Newcastle Group Snapshot Following Crucial Derby Victory. The team gathered for a celebratory photograph to commemorate their success over their arch-rivals. A different manager and an almost completely different team – but the club at Sunderland remembered vividly. Back in 2024, after a comprehensive Magpies victory at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies marked the occasion with a full squad photograph on the pitch. On this occasion, the script were turned on their head. Nick Woltemade's unfortunate deflection proved sufficient to deliver Sunderland a memorable win over their rivals in the inaugural Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to recreate Newcastle's post-match snapshot at full-time. “Consistently original, imaginative, versatile,” remarked Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when questioned about who suggested the photograph. Defender Dan Ballard, who scored an own goal in that previous encounter, was the only Sunderland player to feature from the beginning in the two games. He disclosed how he was eager to avenge the loss, stating: “You cannot describe [the feeling]. It was heartbreaking for the players and for the fans. We felt we had disappointed them, so we're delighted with this win.” “It served as motivation. We came in with more quality in this team, strong personalities, we dug deep, fought really hard and I thought we earned the win.” Sunderland deliberately echoed this picture from Newcastle's 2024 FA Cup victory over the Black Cats. ‘Derbies you have to win, it does not matter how’ Occupying seventh spot Sunderland are enjoying a excellent return to the top flight post promotion via the play-offs last season. The Black Cats have 26 points on the board 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. “Derbies, you have to win, it does not matter how,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team deserves much more – 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 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 outcome. “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 superb.” “It's fantastic for the local community, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a unique game, but we have to refocus immediately as we have another hard game in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light chose not to show Newcastle's name.
The team gathered for a celebratory photograph to commemorate their success over their arch-rivals. A different manager and an almost completely different team – but the club at Sunderland remembered vividly. Back in 2024, after a comprehensive Magpies victory at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies marked the occasion with a full squad photograph on the pitch. On this occasion, the script were turned on their head. Nick Woltemade's unfortunate deflection proved sufficient to deliver Sunderland a memorable win over their rivals in the inaugural Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to recreate Newcastle's post-match snapshot at full-time. “Consistently original, imaginative, versatile,” remarked Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when questioned about who suggested the photograph. Defender Dan Ballard, who scored an own goal in that previous encounter, was the only Sunderland player to feature from the beginning in the two games. He disclosed how he was eager to avenge the loss, stating: “You cannot describe [the feeling]. It was heartbreaking for the players and for the fans. We felt we had disappointed them, so we're delighted with this win.” “It served as motivation. We came in with more quality in this team, strong personalities, we dug deep, fought really hard and I thought we earned the win.” Sunderland deliberately echoed this picture from Newcastle's 2024 FA Cup victory over the Black Cats. ‘Derbies you have to win, it does not matter how’ Occupying seventh spot Sunderland are enjoying a excellent return to the top flight post promotion via the play-offs last season. The Black Cats have 26 points on the board 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. “Derbies, you have to win, it does not matter how,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team deserves much more – 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 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 outcome. “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 superb.” “It's fantastic for the local community, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a unique game, but we have to refocus immediately as we have another hard game in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light chose not to show Newcastle's name.