🔗 Share this article Sunderland Stage Iconic Newcastle Team Photo Following ‘Special’ Local Rivalry Triumph. Sunderland players and staff posed for a picture to celebrate their victory over their local foes. New leadership and a largely changed squad – but the club 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 visitors marked the occasion with a team picture on the pitch. This time, the script were flipped. Nick Woltemade's mistake proved decisive to give Sunderland a memorable win over their rivals in the return of the Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to recreate Newcastle's celebratory snapshot at full-time. “Forever inventive, resourceful, flexible,” remarked Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who came up with the photograph. Defender Dan Ballard, who scored an own goal in that cup defeat, was the only Sunderland player to start in each of the games. He explained how he was determined to rectify the loss, stating: “You cannot describe [the feeling]. It was agonizing for the players and for the fans. We felt we had let them down, so we're overjoyed with this win.” “That experience hardened us. We came in with more quality in this team, strong personalities, we persevered, fought really hard and I thought we deserved the win.” Sunderland recreated this picture from Newcastle's cup win over the Black Cats. ‘Local clashes are must-wins, by any means necessary’ Seventh-placed Sunderland are enjoying 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 undefeated in the league at the Stadium of Light, which had an feverish atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon. “In local rivalry matches, the result is everything, the performance secondary,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team deserves much more – where we are in the league is remarkable and we're working really hard.” Sunderland are also unbeaten 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 outcome. “It was a derby and we were carrying the hopes of our fans,” he continued. “This win is rightfully earned, we were composed and the lads were incredible.” “It's fantastic for the local community, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a unique game, but we have to turn the page as we have another tough challenge in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light did not display Newcastle's name.
Sunderland players and staff posed for a picture to celebrate their victory over their local foes. New leadership and a largely changed squad – but the club 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 visitors marked the occasion with a team picture on the pitch. This time, the script were flipped. Nick Woltemade's mistake proved decisive to give Sunderland a memorable win over their rivals in the return of the Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to recreate Newcastle's celebratory snapshot at full-time. “Forever inventive, resourceful, flexible,” remarked Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who came up with the photograph. Defender Dan Ballard, who scored an own goal in that cup defeat, was the only Sunderland player to start in each of the games. He explained how he was determined to rectify the loss, stating: “You cannot describe [the feeling]. It was agonizing for the players and for the fans. We felt we had let them down, so we're overjoyed with this win.” “That experience hardened us. We came in with more quality in this team, strong personalities, we persevered, fought really hard and I thought we deserved the win.” Sunderland recreated this picture from Newcastle's cup win over the Black Cats. ‘Local clashes are must-wins, by any means necessary’ Seventh-placed Sunderland are enjoying 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 undefeated in the league at the Stadium of Light, which had an feverish atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon. “In local rivalry matches, the result is everything, the performance secondary,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team deserves much more – where we are in the league is remarkable and we're working really hard.” Sunderland are also unbeaten 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 outcome. “It was a derby and we were carrying the hopes of our fans,” he continued. “This win is rightfully earned, we were composed and the lads were incredible.” “It's fantastic for the local community, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a unique game, but we have to turn the page as we have another tough challenge in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light did not display Newcastle's name.