🔗 Share this article Sunderland Recreate Famous Newcastle Squad Picture After Pivotal Derby Win. Sunderland players and staff posed for a picture to celebrate their win over their rivals. A different manager and an almost completely different team – but those involved at Sunderland wasn't going to forget. Almost 24 months prior, after a dominant Newcastle performance at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies marked the occasion with a full squad photograph on the pitch. Now, the roles were flipped. Nick Woltemade's unfortunate deflection proved enough to give Sunderland a historic win over their rivals in the return of the Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to mimic Newcastle's post-match snapshot at full-time. “Consistently original, imaginative, versatile,” remarked Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who proposed the idea. Defender Dan Ballard, who conceded an own goal in that 2024 FA Cup tie, was the lone Sunderland player to start in the two games. He explained how he was eager to make amends for the loss, stating: “You cannot describe [the feeling]. It was heartbreaking for the players and for the fans. We felt we had let them down, so we're overjoyed with this win.” “It served as motivation. We came in with more quality in this team, strong personalities, we dug deep, fought really hard and I thought we merited the win.” Sunderland paid homage to this picture from Newcastle's 2024 FA Cup victory over the Black Cats. ‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’ Seventh-placed Sunderland are experiencing a superb return to the top flight following promotion via the play-offs last season. The Black Cats have 26 points in 16 games, their best return 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 incredible 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 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 “proud and happy” with the performance. “It was a derby and we were carrying the hopes of our fans,” he continued. “This win is fully merited, we were disciplined and the lads were incredible.” “It's fantastic for the area, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a special game, but we have to reset quickly as we have another hard game 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 celebrate their win over their rivals. A different manager and an almost completely different team – but those involved at Sunderland wasn't going to forget. Almost 24 months prior, after a dominant Newcastle performance at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies marked the occasion with a full squad photograph on the pitch. Now, the roles were flipped. Nick Woltemade's unfortunate deflection proved enough to give Sunderland a historic win over their rivals in the return of the Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to mimic Newcastle's post-match snapshot at full-time. “Consistently original, imaginative, versatile,” remarked Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who proposed the idea. Defender Dan Ballard, who conceded an own goal in that 2024 FA Cup tie, was the lone Sunderland player to start in the two games. He explained how he was eager to make amends for the loss, stating: “You cannot describe [the feeling]. It was heartbreaking for the players and for the fans. We felt we had let them down, so we're overjoyed with this win.” “It served as motivation. We came in with more quality in this team, strong personalities, we dug deep, fought really hard and I thought we merited the win.” Sunderland paid homage to this picture from Newcastle's 2024 FA Cup victory over the Black Cats. ‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’ Seventh-placed Sunderland are experiencing a superb return to the top flight following promotion via the play-offs last season. The Black Cats have 26 points in 16 games, their best return 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 incredible 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 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 “proud and happy” with the performance. “It was a derby and we were carrying the hopes of our fans,” he continued. “This win is fully merited, we were disciplined and the lads were incredible.” “It's fantastic for the area, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a special game, but we have to reset quickly as we have another hard game in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light pointedly omitted Newcastle's name.