🔗 Share this article The Black Cats Mimic Famous Newcastle Group Snapshot In the Wake of Pivotal Derby Triumph. The team gathered for a celebratory photograph to commemorate their victory over their rivals. An altered coaching staff and a vastly altered lineup – but the club at Sunderland wasn't going to forget. Almost 24 months prior, after a comprehensive Magpies victory at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the rivals marked the occasion with a group photo on the pitch. This time, the script were reversed. Nick Woltemade's own goal proved enough to give Sunderland a memorable win over their rivals in the inaugural 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 pressed about who came up with the idea. Defender Dan Ballard, who scored an own goal in that cup defeat, was the sole Sunderland player to start in each of the games. He explained how he desperately wanted to make amends for the loss, stating: “It's indescribable. It was agonizing for the players and for the fans. We felt we had disappointed them, so we're overjoyed with this win.” “That experience hardened us. We came in with greater talent in this team, real leaders, we dug deep, fought really hard and I thought we deserved the win.” Sunderland paid homage to this picture from Newcastle's previous triumph over the Black Cats. ‘Derbies you have to win, it does not matter how’ Occupying seventh spot Sunderland are experiencing 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 boasted 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 remarkable and we're working really hard.” Sunderland are also undefeated 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 back in August 2011. Manager Regis le Bris said he was “delighted and satisfied” with the performance. “It was a derby and we were under pressure to deliver of our fans,” he added. “This win is fully merited, we were composed and the lads were superb.” “It's positive for the region, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a unique game, but we have to turn the page as we have another hard game in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light chose not to show Newcastle's name.
The team gathered for a celebratory photograph to commemorate their victory over their rivals. An altered coaching staff and a vastly altered lineup – but the club at Sunderland wasn't going to forget. Almost 24 months prior, after a comprehensive Magpies victory at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the rivals marked the occasion with a group photo on the pitch. This time, the script were reversed. Nick Woltemade's own goal proved enough to give Sunderland a memorable win over their rivals in the inaugural 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 pressed about who came up with the idea. Defender Dan Ballard, who scored an own goal in that cup defeat, was the sole Sunderland player to start in each of the games. He explained how he desperately wanted to make amends for the loss, stating: “It's indescribable. It was agonizing for the players and for the fans. We felt we had disappointed them, so we're overjoyed with this win.” “That experience hardened us. We came in with greater talent in this team, real leaders, we dug deep, fought really hard and I thought we deserved the win.” Sunderland paid homage to this picture from Newcastle's previous triumph over the Black Cats. ‘Derbies you have to win, it does not matter how’ Occupying seventh spot Sunderland are experiencing 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 boasted 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 remarkable and we're working really hard.” Sunderland are also undefeated 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 back in August 2011. Manager Regis le Bris said he was “delighted and satisfied” with the performance. “It was a derby and we were under pressure to deliver of our fans,” he added. “This win is fully merited, we were composed and the lads were superb.” “It's positive for the region, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a unique game, but we have to turn the page as we have another hard game in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light chose not to show Newcastle's name.