Sunderland Mimic Iconic Newcastle Squad Picture After ‘Special’ Derby Win.

An altered coaching staff and an almost completely different team – but someone at Sunderland had a long memory.

Back in 2024, after a dominant Newcastle performance at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies celebrated with a group photo on the pitch.

This time, the script were turned on their head.

Nick Woltemade's own goal proved enough to deliver Sunderland a memorable win over their rivals in the first Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to recreate Newcastle's iconic snapshot at full-time.

“Consistently original, imaginative, versatile,” said with a grin 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 2024 FA Cup tie, was the lone Sunderland player to be in the starting XI in the two games.

He explained how he desperately wanted to make amends for the loss, stating: “You cannot describe [the feeling]. It was agonizing for the players and for the fans. We felt we had let them down, so we're overjoyed with this win.”

“That experience hardened us. We came in with improved ability in this team, true characters, we persevered, fought really hard and I thought we merited the win.”

‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’

Sitting in seventh Sunderland are experiencing a excellent 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 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 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 amazing 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 over a decade ago.

Manager Regis le Bris said he was “extremely pleased” with the result.

“It was a derby and we were under pressure to deliver of our fans,” he stated. “This win is rightfully earned, 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 reset quickly as we have another hard game in Brighton in one week.”