🔗 Share this article The Black Cats Mimic Notorious Newcastle Squad Picture In the Wake of ‘Special’ Derby Victory. A commemorative snap was taken by the squad to commemorate their win over their arch-rivals. New leadership and an almost completely different team – but the club at Sunderland remembered vividly. Back in 2024, after a comprehensive Magpies victory at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the rivals marked the occasion with a full squad photograph on the pitch. This time, the script were turned on their head. Nick Woltemade's own goal proved sufficient to give Sunderland a long-awaited win over their rivals in the inaugural Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to mimic Newcastle's iconic snapshot at full-time. “Forever inventive, resourceful, flexible,” smiled Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when pressed about who suggested the photograph. 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 revealed how he was determined to rectify 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 delighted with this win.” “That experience hardened us. We came in with greater talent in this team, strong personalities, we stuck in there, fought really hard and I thought we earned the win.” Sunderland deliberately echoed this picture from Newcastle's 2024 FA Cup victory over the Black Cats. ‘Derbies you have to win, it does not matter how’ Seventh-placed Sunderland are having a superb return to the top flight after promotion via the play-offs last season. The Black Cats have a tally of 26 points in 16 games, their best return at this stage of a Premier League campaign since 2000-01. They are still unbeaten in the league at the Stadium of Light, which was filled with an feverish atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon. “These games are all about the victory, by hook or by crook,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team merits greater recognition – 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 best-ever streak 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 carrying the hopes of our fans,” he added. “This win is fully merited, we were disciplined and the lads were superb.” “It's positive for the area, 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 did not display Newcastle's name.
A commemorative snap was taken by the squad to commemorate their win over their arch-rivals. New leadership and an almost completely different team – but the club at Sunderland remembered vividly. Back in 2024, after a comprehensive Magpies victory at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the rivals marked the occasion with a full squad photograph on the pitch. This time, the script were turned on their head. Nick Woltemade's own goal proved sufficient to give Sunderland a long-awaited win over their rivals in the inaugural Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to mimic Newcastle's iconic snapshot at full-time. “Forever inventive, resourceful, flexible,” smiled Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when pressed about who suggested the photograph. 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 revealed how he was determined to rectify 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 delighted with this win.” “That experience hardened us. We came in with greater talent in this team, strong personalities, we stuck in there, fought really hard and I thought we earned the win.” Sunderland deliberately echoed this picture from Newcastle's 2024 FA Cup victory over the Black Cats. ‘Derbies you have to win, it does not matter how’ Seventh-placed Sunderland are having a superb return to the top flight after promotion via the play-offs last season. The Black Cats have a tally of 26 points in 16 games, their best return at this stage of a Premier League campaign since 2000-01. They are still unbeaten in the league at the Stadium of Light, which was filled with an feverish atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon. “These games are all about the victory, by hook or by crook,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team merits greater recognition – 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 best-ever streak 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 carrying the hopes of our fans,” he added. “This win is fully merited, we were disciplined and the lads were superb.” “It's positive for the area, 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 did not display Newcastle's name.