🔗 Share this article Sunderland Mimic Notorious Newcastle Group Snapshot In the Wake of Crucial Local Rivalry Victory. A commemorative snap was taken by the squad to celebrate their victory over their local foes. A different manager and a largely changed squad – but someone at Sunderland had a long memory. Back in 2024, after a comprehensive Magpies victory at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies celebrated with a group photo on the pitch. This time, the roles were reversed. Nick Woltemade's own goal proved sufficient to deliver Sunderland a historic win over their rivals in the inaugural Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to stage their own version of Newcastle's post-match snapshot at full-time. “Always unpredictable, creative, adaptive,” said with a grin Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when questioned about who suggested the idea. 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 eager to make amends for the loss, stating: “Words can't express it. It was heartbreaking for the players and for the fans. We felt we had disappointed them, so we're delighted with this win.” “It prepared us more for today. We came in with more quality in this team, true characters, we dug deep, fought really hard and I thought we deserved the win.” Sunderland deliberately echoed this picture from Newcastle's 2024 FA Cup victory over the Black Cats. ‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’ Occupying seventh spot Sunderland are experiencing a excellent return to the top flight following 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 yet to lose in the league at the Stadium of Light, which was filled with an electric atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon. “In local rivalry matches, the result is everything, the performance secondary,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team merits greater recognition – 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 “extremely pleased” with the performance. “It was a derby and we were carrying the hopes of our fans,” he continued. “This win is well deserved, we were disciplined and the lads were incredible.” “It's fantastic for the local community, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a huge game, but we have to refocus immediately as we have another tough challenge in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light chose not to show Newcastle's name.
A commemorative snap was taken by the squad to celebrate their victory over their local foes. A different manager and a largely changed squad – but someone at Sunderland had a long memory. Back in 2024, after a comprehensive Magpies victory at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies celebrated with a group photo on the pitch. This time, the roles were reversed. Nick Woltemade's own goal proved sufficient to deliver Sunderland a historic win over their rivals in the inaugural Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to stage their own version of Newcastle's post-match snapshot at full-time. “Always unpredictable, creative, adaptive,” said with a grin Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when questioned about who suggested the idea. 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 eager to make amends for the loss, stating: “Words can't express it. It was heartbreaking for the players and for the fans. We felt we had disappointed them, so we're delighted with this win.” “It prepared us more for today. We came in with more quality in this team, true characters, we dug deep, fought really hard and I thought we deserved the win.” Sunderland deliberately echoed this picture from Newcastle's 2024 FA Cup victory over the Black Cats. ‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’ Occupying seventh spot Sunderland are experiencing a excellent return to the top flight following 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 yet to lose in the league at the Stadium of Light, which was filled with an electric atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon. “In local rivalry matches, the result is everything, the performance secondary,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team merits greater recognition – 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 “extremely pleased” with the performance. “It was a derby and we were carrying the hopes of our fans,” he continued. “This win is well deserved, we were disciplined and the lads were incredible.” “It's fantastic for the local community, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a huge game, but we have to refocus immediately as we have another tough challenge in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light chose not to show Newcastle's name.