🔗 Share this article The Black Cats Recreate Famous Newcastle Group Snapshot After ‘Special’ Derby Victory. The team gathered for a celebratory photograph to celebrate their win over their rivals. A different manager and a largely changed squad – but the club at Sunderland remembered vividly. Nearly two years ago, after Newcastle's thumping 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the rivals celebrated with a group photo on the pitch. On this occasion, the script were reversed. Nick Woltemade's unfortunate deflection 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 mimic Newcastle's post-match snapshot at full-time. “Forever inventive, resourceful, flexible,” smiled 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 previous encounter, was the lone Sunderland player to feature from the beginning in each of the games. He explained how he was determined to avenge the loss, stating: “It's indescribable. It was so painful for the players and for the fans. We felt we had failed them, so we're ecstatic with this win.” “That experience hardened us. We came in with greater talent in this team, strong personalities, we dug deep, fought really hard and I thought we deserved 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 following promotion via the play-offs last season. The Black Cats have 26 points on the board in 16 games, their most 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 incredible atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon. “These games are all about the victory, by hook or by crook,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team merits greater recognition – where we are in the league is remarkable and we're working really hard.” Sunderland are also without a loss 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 “extremely pleased” with the outcome. “It was a derby and we were expected [to win] of our fans,” he continued. “This win is fully merited, we were mature and the lads were outstanding.” “It's fantastic for the region, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a special game, but we have to refocus immediately as we have another hard game 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 win over their rivals. A different manager and a largely changed squad – but the club at Sunderland remembered vividly. Nearly two years ago, after Newcastle's thumping 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the rivals celebrated with a group photo on the pitch. On this occasion, the script were reversed. Nick Woltemade's unfortunate deflection 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 mimic Newcastle's post-match snapshot at full-time. “Forever inventive, resourceful, flexible,” smiled 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 previous encounter, was the lone Sunderland player to feature from the beginning in each of the games. He explained how he was determined to avenge the loss, stating: “It's indescribable. It was so painful for the players and for the fans. We felt we had failed them, so we're ecstatic with this win.” “That experience hardened us. We came in with greater talent in this team, strong personalities, we dug deep, fought really hard and I thought we deserved 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 following promotion via the play-offs last season. The Black Cats have 26 points on the board in 16 games, their most 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 incredible atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon. “These games are all about the victory, by hook or by crook,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team merits greater recognition – where we are in the league is remarkable and we're working really hard.” Sunderland are also without a loss 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 “extremely pleased” with the outcome. “It was a derby and we were expected [to win] of our fans,” he continued. “This win is fully merited, we were mature and the lads were outstanding.” “It's fantastic for the region, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a special game, but we have to refocus immediately as we have another hard game in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light chose not to show Newcastle's name.