The Black Cats Recreate Notorious Magpies Team Photo After Pivotal Derby Triumph.
A different manager and an almost completely different team – but the club at Sunderland had a long memory.
Nearly two years ago, after a dominant Newcastle performance at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the visitors celebrated with a full squad photograph on the pitch.
This time, the script were turned on their head.
Nick Woltemade's own goal proved decisive to deliver 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.
“Always unpredictable, creative, adaptive,” said with a grin Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when questioned about who suggested the gesture.
Defender Dan Ballard, who conceded an own goal in that cup defeat, was the only Sunderland player to be in the starting XI in the two games.
He revealed how he desperately wanted to rectify the loss, stating: “You cannot describe [the feeling]. It was so painful for the players and for the fans. We felt we had disappointed them, so we're ecstatic with this win.”
“It prepared us more for today. We came in with improved ability in this team, strong personalities, we persevered, fought really hard and I thought we deserved the win.”
‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’
Sitting in seventh Sunderland are experiencing a superb 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 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 had an feverish 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 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 all the way back in 2011.
Manager Regis le Bris said he was “delighted and satisfied” with the result.
“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 superb.”
“It's good for the region, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a huge game, but we have to refocus immediately as we have another difficult test in Brighton in one week.”
