Sunderland Recreate Famous Magpies Group Snapshot In the Wake of Crucial Derby Win.
New leadership and a vastly altered lineup – but the club at Sunderland had a long memory.
Almost 24 months prior, after a comprehensive Magpies victory at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the rivals marked the occasion with a full squad photograph on the pitch.
This time, the script were flipped.
Nick Woltemade's mistake proved sufficient to deliver Sunderland a long-awaited win over their rivals in the first Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to recreate Newcastle's iconic snapshot at full-time.
“Always unpredictable, creative, adaptive,” said with a grin Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when questioned about who came up with the photograph.
Defender Dan Ballard, who scored an own goal in that 2024 FA Cup tie, was the only Sunderland player to be in the starting XI in each of the games.
He explained how he desperately wanted to rectify the loss, stating: “You cannot describe [the feeling]. It was agonizing for the players and for the fans. We felt we had disappointed them, so we're ecstatic with this win.”
“That experience hardened us. We came in with greater talent in this team, real leaders, we persevered, fought really hard and I thought we merited the win.”
‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’
Sitting in seventh Sunderland are having a excellent 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 undefeated in the league at the Stadium of Light, which boasted an electric 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 incredible 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 all the way back in 2011.
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 stated. “This win is rightfully earned, we were mature and the lads were superb.”
“It's good for the local community, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a special game, but we have to refocus immediately as we have another difficult test in Brighton in one week.”
