🔗 Share this article Sunderland Mimic Notorious Magpies Squad Picture In the Wake of Pivotal Local Rivalry Victory. The team gathered for a celebratory photograph to celebrate their win over their arch-rivals. A different manager and an almost completely different team – but those involved 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 celebrated with a team picture on the pitch. On this occasion, the script were reversed. Nick Woltemade's mistake proved decisive to give 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 iconic snapshot at full-time. “Forever inventive, resourceful, flexible,” smiled Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when pressed about who suggested the idea. 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 explained how he desperately wanted to rectify the loss, stating: “Words can't express it. It was so painful for the players and for the fans. We felt we had disappointed them, so we're ecstatic with this win.” “That experience hardened us. We came in with more quality in this team, true characters, we persevered, fought really hard and I thought we earned the win.” Sunderland recreated this picture from Newcastle's previous triumph over the Black Cats. ‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’ Occupying seventh spot Sunderland are enjoying a outstanding return to the top flight after 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. “These games are all about the victory, by hook or by crook,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team deserves much more – where we are in the league is amazing and we're working really hard.” Sunderland are also without a loss 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 all the way back in 2011. Manager Regis le Bris said he was “proud and happy” with the outcome. “It was a derby and we were expected [to win] of our fans,” he continued. “This win is rightfully earned, we were mature and the lads were outstanding.” “It's good for the local community, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a unique 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 celebrate their win over their arch-rivals. A different manager and an almost completely different team – but those involved 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 celebrated with a team picture on the pitch. On this occasion, the script were reversed. Nick Woltemade's mistake proved decisive to give 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 iconic snapshot at full-time. “Forever inventive, resourceful, flexible,” smiled Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when pressed about who suggested the idea. 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 explained how he desperately wanted to rectify the loss, stating: “Words can't express it. It was so painful for the players and for the fans. We felt we had disappointed them, so we're ecstatic with this win.” “That experience hardened us. We came in with more quality in this team, true characters, we persevered, fought really hard and I thought we earned the win.” Sunderland recreated this picture from Newcastle's previous triumph over the Black Cats. ‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’ Occupying seventh spot Sunderland are enjoying a outstanding return to the top flight after 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. “These games are all about the victory, by hook or by crook,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team deserves much more – where we are in the league is amazing and we're working really hard.” Sunderland are also without a loss 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 all the way back in 2011. Manager Regis le Bris said he was “proud and happy” with the outcome. “It was a derby and we were expected [to win] of our fans,” he continued. “This win is rightfully earned, we were mature and the lads were outstanding.” “It's good for the local community, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a unique 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.