Sunderland Mimic Notorious Newcastle Squad Picture Following ‘Special’ Local Rivalry Win.

An altered coaching staff and a largely changed squad – but the club at Sunderland had a long memory.

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 group photo on the pitch.

On this occasion, the situation were flipped.

Nick Woltemade's own goal proved enough to deliver 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 post-match snapshot at full-time.

“Always unpredictable, creative, adaptive,” said with a grin Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who came up with the photograph.

Defender Dan Ballard, who scored an own goal in that 2024 FA Cup tie, was the only Sunderland player to start in each of the games.

He revealed how he was determined to make amends for the loss, stating: “It's indescribable. It was heartbreaking for the players and for the fans. We felt we had failed them, so we're overjoyed with this win.”

“It prepared us more for today. We came in with more quality in this team, true characters, we persevered, fought really hard and I thought we earned the win.”

‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’

Occupying seventh spot Sunderland are experiencing a outstanding return to the top flight after 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 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 merits greater recognition – where we are in the league is remarkable and we're working really hard.”

Sunderland are also undefeated in their last 10 league games against Newcastle, their most extended period 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 result.

“It was a derby and we were expected [to win] of our fans,” he continued. “This win is well deserved, we were disciplined and the lads were superb.”

“It's positive for the local community, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a huge game, but we have to reset quickly as we have another hard game in Brighton in one week.”