🔗 Share this article Sunderland Stage Notorious Magpies Squad Picture After Pivotal Derby Triumph. Sunderland players and staff posed for a picture to mark their win over their arch-rivals. An altered coaching staff and an almost completely different team – but someone at Sunderland remembered vividly. Almost 24 months prior, after Newcastle's thumping 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies marked the occasion with a full squad photograph on the pitch. On this occasion, the situation were flipped. Nick Woltemade's own goal proved decisive 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. “Consistently original, imaginative, versatile,” remarked Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who suggested the gesture. Defender Dan Ballard, who conceded an own goal in that previous encounter, was the lone Sunderland player to feature from the beginning in each of the games. He disclosed how he desperately wanted to rectify the loss, stating: “Words can't express it. It was agonizing for the players and for the fans. We felt we had failed them, so we're delighted with this win.” “It prepared us more for today. We came in with improved ability in this team, real leaders, we persevered, fought really hard and I thought we earned the win.” Sunderland deliberately echoed this picture from Newcastle's cup win over the Black Cats. ‘Derbies you have to win, it does not matter how’ Seventh-placed Sunderland are experiencing a excellent 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 most at this stage of a Premier League campaign since 2000-01. They are undefeated in the league at the Stadium of Light, which had 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 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 over a decade ago. Manager Regis le Bris said he was “delighted and satisfied” with the result. “It was a derby and we were under pressure to deliver of our fans,” he continued. “This win is well deserved, we were disciplined and the lads were superb.” “It's fantastic 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.
Sunderland players and staff posed for a picture to mark their win over their arch-rivals. An altered coaching staff and an almost completely different team – but someone at Sunderland remembered vividly. Almost 24 months prior, after Newcastle's thumping 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies marked the occasion with a full squad photograph on the pitch. On this occasion, the situation were flipped. Nick Woltemade's own goal proved decisive 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. “Consistently original, imaginative, versatile,” remarked Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who suggested the gesture. Defender Dan Ballard, who conceded an own goal in that previous encounter, was the lone Sunderland player to feature from the beginning in each of the games. He disclosed how he desperately wanted to rectify the loss, stating: “Words can't express it. It was agonizing for the players and for the fans. We felt we had failed them, so we're delighted with this win.” “It prepared us more for today. We came in with improved ability in this team, real leaders, we persevered, fought really hard and I thought we earned the win.” Sunderland deliberately echoed this picture from Newcastle's cup win over the Black Cats. ‘Derbies you have to win, it does not matter how’ Seventh-placed Sunderland are experiencing a excellent 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 most at this stage of a Premier League campaign since 2000-01. They are undefeated in the league at the Stadium of Light, which had 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 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 over a decade ago. Manager Regis le Bris said he was “delighted and satisfied” with the result. “It was a derby and we were under pressure to deliver of our fans,” he continued. “This win is well deserved, we were disciplined and the lads were superb.” “It's fantastic 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.