🔗 Share this article Sunderland Recreate Notorious Magpies Squad Picture In the Wake of Crucial Derby Victory. The team gathered for a celebratory photograph to celebrate their victory over their arch-rivals. New leadership and a largely changed squad – but the club at Sunderland wasn't going to forget. Back in 2024, after a dominant Newcastle performance at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the visitors commemorated the moment with a team picture on the pitch. This time, the script were flipped. Nick Woltemade's unfortunate deflection proved decisive to hand Sunderland a long-awaited win over their rivals in the return of the Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to recreate Newcastle's post-match snapshot at full-time. “Forever inventive, resourceful, flexible,” smiled Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when questioned about who suggested the photograph. Defender Dan Ballard, who conceded an own goal in that 2024 FA Cup tie, was the lone Sunderland player to feature from the beginning in the two games. He disclosed how he was determined to make amends for the loss, stating: “It's indescribable. It was heartbreaking for the players and for the fans. We felt we had failed them, so we're delighted with this win.” “That experience hardened us. We came in with greater talent in this team, real leaders, we stuck in there, fought really hard and I thought we merited the win.” Sunderland recreated this picture from Newcastle's previous triumph over the Black Cats. ‘Derbies you have to win, it does not matter how’ Sitting in seventh Sunderland are enjoying a superb return to the top flight after 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 still unbeaten in the league at the Stadium of Light, which had an feverish atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon. “Derbies, you have to win, it does not matter how,” 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 unbeaten 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 “delighted and satisfied” with the outcome. “It was a derby and we were carrying the hopes of our fans,” he added. “This win is rightfully earned, we were mature and the lads were outstanding.” “It's fantastic for the region, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a huge 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 celebrate their victory over their arch-rivals. New leadership and a largely changed squad – but the club at Sunderland wasn't going to forget. Back in 2024, after a dominant Newcastle performance at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the visitors commemorated the moment with a team picture on the pitch. This time, the script were flipped. Nick Woltemade's unfortunate deflection proved decisive to hand Sunderland a long-awaited win over their rivals in the return of the Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to recreate Newcastle's post-match snapshot at full-time. “Forever inventive, resourceful, flexible,” smiled Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when questioned about who suggested the photograph. Defender Dan Ballard, who conceded an own goal in that 2024 FA Cup tie, was the lone Sunderland player to feature from the beginning in the two games. He disclosed how he was determined to make amends for the loss, stating: “It's indescribable. It was heartbreaking for the players and for the fans. We felt we had failed them, so we're delighted with this win.” “That experience hardened us. We came in with greater talent in this team, real leaders, we stuck in there, fought really hard and I thought we merited the win.” Sunderland recreated this picture from Newcastle's previous triumph over the Black Cats. ‘Derbies you have to win, it does not matter how’ Sitting in seventh Sunderland are enjoying a superb return to the top flight after 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 still unbeaten in the league at the Stadium of Light, which had an feverish atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon. “Derbies, you have to win, it does not matter how,” 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 unbeaten 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 “delighted and satisfied” with the outcome. “It was a derby and we were carrying the hopes of our fans,” he added. “This win is rightfully earned, we were mature and the lads were outstanding.” “It's fantastic for the region, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a huge 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.