The Black Cats Mimic Famous Magpies Team Photo Following ‘Special’ Local Rivalry Win.

An altered coaching staff and an almost completely different team – but the club 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 visitors marked the occasion with a group photo on the pitch.

This time, the roles were flipped.

Nick Woltemade's unfortunate deflection proved decisive 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 stage their own version of Newcastle's iconic snapshot at full-time.

“Consistently original, imaginative, versatile,” said with a grin Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when questioned about who proposed the idea.

Defender Dan Ballard, who was unfortunate to score an own goal in that 2024 FA Cup tie, was the sole Sunderland player to be in the starting XI in the two games.

He disclosed how he was determined to rectify the loss, stating: “Words can't express it. It was agonizing for the players and for the fans. We felt we had let them down, so we're overjoyed with this win.”

“It prepared us more for today. We came in with greater talent in this team, strong personalities, we stuck in there, fought really hard and I thought we merited the win.”

‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’

Sitting in seventh Sunderland are having a outstanding return to the top flight after promotion via the play-offs last season.

The Black Cats have 26 points in 16 games, their highest total 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 incredible atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon.

“In local rivalry matches, the result is everything, the performance secondary,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team deserves much more – 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 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 “proud and happy” with the result.

“It was a derby and we were carrying the hopes of our fans,” he stated. “This win is well deserved, we were mature and the lads were superb.”

“It's positive for the region, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a huge game, but we have to reset quickly as we have another tough challenge in Brighton in one week.”