🔗 Share this article The Black Cats Recreate Iconic Magpies Team Photo After Pivotal Derby Triumph. The team gathered for a celebratory photograph to mark their victory over their local foes. An altered coaching staff and an almost completely different team – but those involved at Sunderland had a long memory. Back in 2024, after a dominant Newcastle performance at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies commemorated the moment with a team picture on the pitch. On this occasion, the script were turned on their head. Nick Woltemade's unfortunate deflection proved sufficient to give Sunderland a long-awaited win over their rivals in the first Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to mimic Newcastle's iconic snapshot at full-time. “Always unpredictable, creative, adaptive,” said with a grin Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when pressed about who proposed 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 feature from the beginning in each of the games. He explained how he was determined to rectify the loss, stating: “Words can't express it. It was agonizing for the players and for the fans. We felt we had failed them, so we're overjoyed with this win.” “It prepared us more for today. We came in with improved ability in this team, true characters, we stuck in there, fought really hard and I thought we deserved the win.” Sunderland deliberately echoed this picture from Newcastle's cup win over the Black Cats. ‘Derbies you have to win, it does not matter how’ Sitting in seventh Sunderland are enjoying a outstanding 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 best return 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. “Derbies, you have to win, it does not matter how,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team deserves much more – where we are in the league is incredible and we're working really hard.” Sunderland are also undefeated 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 “delighted and satisfied” with the performance. “It was a derby and we were expected [to win] of our fans,” he added. “This win is well deserved, we were composed and the lads were outstanding.” “It's good for the area, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a special game, but we have to refocus immediately as we have another difficult test in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light did not display Newcastle's name.
The team gathered for a celebratory photograph to mark their victory over their local foes. An altered coaching staff and an almost completely different team – but those involved at Sunderland had a long memory. Back in 2024, after a dominant Newcastle performance at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies commemorated the moment with a team picture on the pitch. On this occasion, the script were turned on their head. Nick Woltemade's unfortunate deflection proved sufficient to give Sunderland a long-awaited win over their rivals in the first Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to mimic Newcastle's iconic snapshot at full-time. “Always unpredictable, creative, adaptive,” said with a grin Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when pressed about who proposed 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 feature from the beginning in each of the games. He explained how he was determined to rectify the loss, stating: “Words can't express it. It was agonizing for the players and for the fans. We felt we had failed them, so we're overjoyed with this win.” “It prepared us more for today. We came in with improved ability in this team, true characters, we stuck in there, fought really hard and I thought we deserved the win.” Sunderland deliberately echoed this picture from Newcastle's cup win over the Black Cats. ‘Derbies you have to win, it does not matter how’ Sitting in seventh Sunderland are enjoying a outstanding 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 best return 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. “Derbies, you have to win, it does not matter how,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team deserves much more – where we are in the league is incredible and we're working really hard.” Sunderland are also undefeated 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 “delighted and satisfied” with the performance. “It was a derby and we were expected [to win] of our fans,” he added. “This win is well deserved, we were composed and the lads were outstanding.” “It's good for the area, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a special game, but we have to refocus immediately as we have another difficult test in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light did not display Newcastle's name.