🔗 Share this article The Black Cats Stage Notorious Newcastle Team Photo In the Wake of Pivotal Local Rivalry Win. Sunderland players and staff posed for a picture to mark their success over their rivals. A different manager and a vastly altered lineup – but the club at Sunderland remembered vividly. Almost 24 months prior, after a dominant Newcastle performance at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies commemorated the moment with a group photo on the pitch. On this occasion, the script were flipped. Nick Woltemade's unfortunate deflection proved sufficient to hand Sunderland a long-awaited win over their rivals in the return of the Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to mimic Newcastle's celebratory snapshot at full-time. “Forever inventive, resourceful, flexible,” smiled Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when questioned about who suggested the photograph. Defender Dan Ballard, who scored an own goal in that cup defeat, was the only Sunderland player to start in both games. He revealed how he was eager to avenge the loss, stating: “You cannot describe [the feeling]. It was heartbreaking for the players and for the fans. We felt we had failed them, so we're delighted with this win.” “It served as motivation. We came in with improved ability in this team, strong personalities, we stuck in there, fought really hard and I thought we earned the win.” Sunderland deliberately echoed this picture from Newcastle's previous triumph over the Black Cats. ‘Local clashes are must-wins, by any means necessary’ Seventh-placed Sunderland are experiencing a excellent return to the top flight following promotion via the play-offs last season. The Black Cats have a tally of 26 points in 16 games, their most 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 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 most extended period without defeat against the Magpies. Newcastle's last league win over Sunderland was back in August 2011. Manager Regis le Bris said he was “proud and happy” with the outcome. “It was a derby and we were carrying the hopes of our fans,” he stated. “This win is well deserved, we were mature and the lads were incredible.” “It's good for the area, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a unique game, but we have to turn the page as we have another difficult test in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light pointedly omitted Newcastle's name.
Sunderland players and staff posed for a picture to mark their success over their rivals. A different manager and a vastly altered lineup – but the club at Sunderland remembered vividly. Almost 24 months prior, after a dominant Newcastle performance at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies commemorated the moment with a group photo on the pitch. On this occasion, the script were flipped. Nick Woltemade's unfortunate deflection proved sufficient to hand Sunderland a long-awaited win over their rivals in the return of the Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to mimic Newcastle's celebratory snapshot at full-time. “Forever inventive, resourceful, flexible,” smiled Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when questioned about who suggested the photograph. Defender Dan Ballard, who scored an own goal in that cup defeat, was the only Sunderland player to start in both games. He revealed how he was eager to avenge the loss, stating: “You cannot describe [the feeling]. It was heartbreaking for the players and for the fans. We felt we had failed them, so we're delighted with this win.” “It served as motivation. We came in with improved ability in this team, strong personalities, we stuck in there, fought really hard and I thought we earned the win.” Sunderland deliberately echoed this picture from Newcastle's previous triumph over the Black Cats. ‘Local clashes are must-wins, by any means necessary’ Seventh-placed Sunderland are experiencing a excellent return to the top flight following promotion via the play-offs last season. The Black Cats have a tally of 26 points in 16 games, their most 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 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 most extended period without defeat against the Magpies. Newcastle's last league win over Sunderland was back in August 2011. Manager Regis le Bris said he was “proud and happy” with the outcome. “It was a derby and we were carrying the hopes of our fans,” he stated. “This win is well deserved, we were mature and the lads were incredible.” “It's good for the area, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a unique game, but we have to turn the page as we have another difficult test in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light pointedly omitted Newcastle's name.