🔗 Share this article Sunderland Stage Famous Magpies Team Photo In the Wake of Pivotal Local Rivalry Victory. A commemorative snap was taken by the squad to commemorate their success over their rivals. New leadership and a vastly altered lineup – but the club at Sunderland had a long memory. Nearly two years ago, after Newcastle's thumping 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies commemorated the moment with a team picture on the pitch. This time, the script were turned on their head. Nick Woltemade's mistake proved enough to deliver 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 post-match snapshot at full-time. “Consistently original, imaginative, versatile,” said with a grin Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who proposed the gesture. Defender Dan Ballard, who was unfortunate to score an own goal in that cup defeat, was the only Sunderland player to feature from the beginning in the two games. He disclosed how he was determined to rectify the loss, stating: “It's indescribable. It was agonizing for the players and for the fans. We felt we had let them down, so we're delighted with this win.” “It served as motivation. We came in with improved ability in this team, real leaders, we persevered, fought really hard and I thought we earned the win.” Sunderland deliberately echoed this picture from Newcastle's cup win over the Black Cats. ‘Local clashes are must-wins, by any means necessary’ 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 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 was filled with an electric atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon. “Derbies, you have to win, it does not matter how,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team merits greater recognition – 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 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 “extremely pleased” with the result. “It was a derby and we were under pressure to deliver of our fans,” he stated. “This win is well deserved, we were disciplined and the lads were outstanding.” “It's good for the region, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a huge game, but we have to reset quickly as we have another hard game in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light did not display Newcastle's name.
A commemorative snap was taken by the squad to commemorate their success over their rivals. New leadership and a vastly altered lineup – but the club at Sunderland had a long memory. Nearly two years ago, after Newcastle's thumping 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies commemorated the moment with a team picture on the pitch. This time, the script were turned on their head. Nick Woltemade's mistake proved enough to deliver 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 post-match snapshot at full-time. “Consistently original, imaginative, versatile,” said with a grin Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who proposed the gesture. Defender Dan Ballard, who was unfortunate to score an own goal in that cup defeat, was the only Sunderland player to feature from the beginning in the two games. He disclosed how he was determined to rectify the loss, stating: “It's indescribable. It was agonizing for the players and for the fans. We felt we had let them down, so we're delighted with this win.” “It served as motivation. We came in with improved ability in this team, real leaders, we persevered, fought really hard and I thought we earned the win.” Sunderland deliberately echoed this picture from Newcastle's cup win over the Black Cats. ‘Local clashes are must-wins, by any means necessary’ 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 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 was filled with an electric atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon. “Derbies, you have to win, it does not matter how,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team merits greater recognition – 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 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 “extremely pleased” with the result. “It was a derby and we were under pressure to deliver of our fans,” he stated. “This win is well deserved, we were disciplined and the lads were outstanding.” “It's good for the region, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a huge game, but we have to reset quickly as we have another hard game in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light did not display Newcastle's name.