🔗 Share this article Sunderland Recreate Notorious Newcastle Team Photo After ‘Special’ Derby Triumph. The team gathered for a celebratory photograph to mark their success over their local foes. A different manager and an almost completely different team – but those involved at Sunderland remembered vividly. Nearly two years ago, after a dominant Newcastle performance at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the visitors commemorated the moment with a group photo on the pitch. Now, the situation were reversed. Nick Woltemade's unfortunate deflection proved decisive to hand Sunderland a historic 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,” remarked Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when questioned about who came up with the gesture. Defender Dan Ballard, who was unfortunate to score an own goal in that previous encounter, was the lone Sunderland player to feature from the beginning in both games. He disclosed how he was eager to rectify the loss, stating: “Words can't express it. It was agonizing 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 greater talent in this team, true characters, we stuck in there, fought really hard and I thought we merited the win.” Sunderland deliberately echoed this picture from Newcastle's previous triumph over the Black Cats. ‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’ Sitting in seventh Sunderland are having a excellent return to the top flight post 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 yet to lose in the league at the Stadium of Light, which was filled with 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 without a loss 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 “proud and happy” with the performance. “It was a derby and we were expected [to win] of our fans,” he added. “This win is fully merited, we were mature and the lads were incredible.” “It's fantastic 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 tough challenge 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 mark their success over their local foes. A different manager and an almost completely different team – but those involved at Sunderland remembered vividly. Nearly two years ago, after a dominant Newcastle performance at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the visitors commemorated the moment with a group photo on the pitch. Now, the situation were reversed. Nick Woltemade's unfortunate deflection proved decisive to hand Sunderland a historic 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,” remarked Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when questioned about who came up with the gesture. Defender Dan Ballard, who was unfortunate to score an own goal in that previous encounter, was the lone Sunderland player to feature from the beginning in both games. He disclosed how he was eager to rectify the loss, stating: “Words can't express it. It was agonizing 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 greater talent in this team, true characters, we stuck in there, fought really hard and I thought we merited the win.” Sunderland deliberately echoed this picture from Newcastle's previous triumph over the Black Cats. ‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’ Sitting in seventh Sunderland are having a excellent return to the top flight post 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 yet to lose in the league at the Stadium of Light, which was filled with 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 without a loss 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 “proud and happy” with the performance. “It was a derby and we were expected [to win] of our fans,” he added. “This win is fully merited, we were mature and the lads were incredible.” “It's fantastic 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 tough challenge in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light chose not to show Newcastle's name.