🔗 Share this article Sunderland Stage Famous Magpies Team Photo In the Wake of Crucial Derby Win. Sunderland players and staff posed for a picture to mark their victory over their rivals. A different manager and an almost completely different team – but those involved at Sunderland wasn't going to forget. Nearly two years ago, after a dominant Newcastle performance at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the visitors celebrated with a team picture on the pitch. This time, the situation were turned on their head. Nick Woltemade's own goal proved sufficient to give Sunderland a memorable 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 gesture. Defender Dan Ballard, who was unfortunate to score an own goal in that previous encounter, was the only Sunderland player to start in the two games. He revealed how he desperately wanted to avenge the loss, stating: “It's indescribable. It was so painful for the players and for the fans. We felt we had let them down, so we're delighted with this win.” “It prepared us more for today. We came in with greater talent in this team, true characters, we stuck in there, fought really hard and I thought we deserved the win.” Sunderland paid homage to this picture from Newcastle's previous triumph over the Black Cats. ‘Local clashes are must-wins, by any means necessary’ Sitting in seventh Sunderland are enjoying a outstanding return to the top flight post 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 undefeated in the league at the Stadium of Light, which had an electric 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 remarkable 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 “proud and happy” with the performance. “It was a derby and we were under pressure to deliver of our fans,” he continued. “This win is well deserved, we were mature and the lads were incredible.” “It's good for the area, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a special game, but we have to reset quickly as we have another hard game 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 victory over their rivals. A different manager and an almost completely different team – but those involved at Sunderland wasn't going to forget. Nearly two years ago, after a dominant Newcastle performance at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the visitors celebrated with a team picture on the pitch. This time, the situation were turned on their head. Nick Woltemade's own goal proved sufficient to give Sunderland a memorable 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 gesture. Defender Dan Ballard, who was unfortunate to score an own goal in that previous encounter, was the only Sunderland player to start in the two games. He revealed how he desperately wanted to avenge the loss, stating: “It's indescribable. It was so painful for the players and for the fans. We felt we had let them down, so we're delighted with this win.” “It prepared us more for today. We came in with greater talent in this team, true characters, we stuck in there, fought really hard and I thought we deserved the win.” Sunderland paid homage to this picture from Newcastle's previous triumph over the Black Cats. ‘Local clashes are must-wins, by any means necessary’ Sitting in seventh Sunderland are enjoying a outstanding return to the top flight post 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 undefeated in the league at the Stadium of Light, which had an electric 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 remarkable 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 “proud and happy” with the performance. “It was a derby and we were under pressure to deliver of our fans,” he continued. “This win is well deserved, we were mature and the lads were incredible.” “It's good for the area, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a special game, but we have to reset quickly as we have another hard game in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light did not display Newcastle's name.