The Black Cats Mimic Iconic Magpies Group Snapshot After Crucial Local Rivalry Victory.

A different manager and a vastly altered lineup – but the club at Sunderland remembered vividly.

Almost 24 months prior, after a comprehensive Magpies victory at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the visitors marked the occasion with a full squad photograph on the pitch.

Now, the script were flipped.

Nick Woltemade's unfortunate deflection proved enough 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 celebratory snapshot at full-time.

“Forever inventive, resourceful, flexible,” smiled Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who suggested the photograph.

Defender Dan Ballard, who was unfortunate to score an own goal in that 2024 FA Cup tie, was the only Sunderland player to start in both games.

He explained how he desperately wanted to rectify 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 overjoyed with this win.”

“That experience hardened us. We came in with more quality in this team, strong personalities, we stuck in there, fought really hard and I thought we deserved the win.”

‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’

Seventh-placed Sunderland are enjoying 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 best return at this stage of a Premier League campaign since 2000-01.

They are undefeated in the league at the Stadium of Light, which had 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 is worthy of more respect – where we are in the league is remarkable 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 all the way back in 2011.

Manager Regis le Bris said he was “delighted and satisfied” 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 disciplined and the lads were incredible.”

“It's good for the region, 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.”