🔗 Share this article Sunderland Stage Famous Magpies Squad Picture After Pivotal Local Rivalry Victory. Sunderland players and staff posed for a picture to celebrate their success over their rivals. An altered coaching staff and an almost completely different team – but those involved at Sunderland remembered vividly. Almost 24 months prior, after a dominant Newcastle performance at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the rivals marked the occasion with a group photo on the pitch. This time, the situation were reversed. Nick Woltemade's unfortunate deflection proved decisive to deliver Sunderland a long-awaited win over their rivals in the return of the Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to recreate Newcastle's iconic snapshot at full-time. “Forever inventive, resourceful, flexible,” said with a grin Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when questioned about who came up with the idea. Defender Dan Ballard, who was unfortunate to score an own goal in that cup defeat, was the lone Sunderland player to feature from the beginning in the two games. He revealed how he was determined to make amends for the loss, stating: “It's indescribable. It was agonizing for the players and for the fans. We felt we had disappointed them, so we're delighted with this win.” “That experience hardened us. We came in with greater talent in this team, true characters, we persevered, fought really hard and I thought we earned the win.” Sunderland paid homage to this picture from Newcastle's cup win over the Black Cats. ‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’ Sitting in seventh Sunderland are experiencing a excellent 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 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 unbeaten 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 stated. “This win is rightfully earned, we were mature and the lads were outstanding.” “It's positive for the local community, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a huge 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 pointedly omitted Newcastle's name.
Sunderland players and staff posed for a picture to celebrate their success over their rivals. An altered coaching staff and an almost completely different team – but those involved at Sunderland remembered vividly. Almost 24 months prior, after a dominant Newcastle performance at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the rivals marked the occasion with a group photo on the pitch. This time, the situation were reversed. Nick Woltemade's unfortunate deflection proved decisive to deliver Sunderland a long-awaited win over their rivals in the return of the Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to recreate Newcastle's iconic snapshot at full-time. “Forever inventive, resourceful, flexible,” said with a grin Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when questioned about who came up with the idea. Defender Dan Ballard, who was unfortunate to score an own goal in that cup defeat, was the lone Sunderland player to feature from the beginning in the two games. He revealed how he was determined to make amends for the loss, stating: “It's indescribable. It was agonizing for the players and for the fans. We felt we had disappointed them, so we're delighted with this win.” “That experience hardened us. We came in with greater talent in this team, true characters, we persevered, fought really hard and I thought we earned the win.” Sunderland paid homage to this picture from Newcastle's cup win over the Black Cats. ‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’ Sitting in seventh Sunderland are experiencing a excellent 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 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 unbeaten 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 stated. “This win is rightfully earned, we were mature and the lads were outstanding.” “It's positive for the local community, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a huge 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 pointedly omitted Newcastle's name.