🔗 Share this article Sunderland Stage Notorious Newcastle Squad Picture Following Pivotal Local Rivalry Win. The team gathered for a celebratory photograph to mark their success over their local foes. New leadership and an almost completely different team – but someone at Sunderland remembered vividly. Back in 2024, after a dominant Newcastle performance at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies 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 hand 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,” smiled Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who came up with the gesture. Defender Dan Ballard, who conceded 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 disclosed how he desperately wanted to make amends for the loss, stating: “You cannot describe [the feeling]. It was so painful for the players and for the fans. We felt we had failed them, so we're delighted with this win.” “It served as motivation. We came in with more quality in this team, strong personalities, we persevered, fought really hard and I thought we deserved the win.” Sunderland deliberately echoed this picture from Newcastle's previous triumph over the Black Cats. ‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’ Occupying seventh spot Sunderland are enjoying 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 yet to lose in the league at the Stadium of Light, which was filled with an feverish atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon. “Derbies, you have to win, it does not matter how,” 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 unbeaten 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 back in August 2011. Manager Regis le Bris said he was “extremely pleased” with the outcome. “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 good for the local community, 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 mark their success over their local foes. New leadership and an almost completely different team – but someone at Sunderland remembered vividly. Back in 2024, after a dominant Newcastle performance at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies 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 hand 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,” smiled Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who came up with the gesture. Defender Dan Ballard, who conceded 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 disclosed how he desperately wanted to make amends for the loss, stating: “You cannot describe [the feeling]. It was so painful for the players and for the fans. We felt we had failed them, so we're delighted with this win.” “It served as motivation. We came in with more quality in this team, strong personalities, we persevered, fought really hard and I thought we deserved the win.” Sunderland deliberately echoed this picture from Newcastle's previous triumph over the Black Cats. ‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’ Occupying seventh spot Sunderland are enjoying 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 yet to lose in the league at the Stadium of Light, which was filled with an feverish atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon. “Derbies, you have to win, it does not matter how,” 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 unbeaten 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 back in August 2011. Manager Regis le Bris said he was “extremely pleased” with the outcome. “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 good for the local community, 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.