The Black Cats Mimic Iconic Newcastle Team Photo After ‘Special’ Derby Triumph.
An altered coaching staff and an almost completely different team – but the club at Sunderland remembered vividly.
Back in 2024, after Newcastle's thumping 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies commemorated the moment with a full squad photograph on the pitch.
On this occasion, the situation were flipped.
Nick Woltemade's mistake proved sufficient 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 stage their own version of Newcastle's celebratory snapshot at full-time.
“Always unpredictable, creative, adaptive,” said with a grin Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when pressed about who came up with the photograph.
Defender Dan Ballard, who conceded an own goal in that previous encounter, was the lone Sunderland player to be in the starting XI in each of the games.
He explained how he was determined to make amends for the loss, stating: “You cannot describe [the feeling]. It was so painful for the players and for the fans. We felt we had let them down, so we're ecstatic with this win.”
“It prepared us more for today. We came in with greater talent in this team, real leaders, we persevered, fought really hard and I thought we merited the win.”
‘Derbies you have to win, it does not matter how’
Seventh-placed 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 most at this stage of a Premier League campaign since 2000-01.
They are still unbeaten in the league at the Stadium of Light, which had an electric atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon.
“In local rivalry matches, the result is everything, the performance secondary,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team is worthy of more respect – where we are in the league is incredible 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 expected [to win] of our fans,” he continued. “This win is fully merited, we were composed and the lads were outstanding.”
“It's positive for the local community, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a special game, but we have to turn the page as we have another difficult test in Brighton in one week.”
