🔗 Share this article The Black Cats Mimic Notorious Newcastle Squad Picture Following ‘Special’ Local Rivalry Win. Sunderland players and staff posed for a picture to commemorate their win over their rivals. An altered coaching staff and an almost completely different team – but the club at Sunderland remembered vividly. Almost 24 months prior, after Newcastle's thumping 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies celebrated with a full squad photograph on the pitch. Now, the situation were flipped. Nick Woltemade's mistake proved sufficient to hand 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 iconic snapshot at full-time. “Forever inventive, resourceful, flexible,” smiled Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who proposed the idea. Defender Dan Ballard, who conceded an own goal in that cup defeat, was the only Sunderland player to be in the starting XI in each of the games. He revealed how he desperately wanted to avenge the loss, stating: “You cannot describe [the feeling]. It was so painful 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 stuck in there, fought really hard and I thought we merited the win.” Sunderland deliberately echoed this picture from Newcastle's cup win over the Black Cats. ‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’ Occupying seventh spot Sunderland are having 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 yet to lose in the league at the Stadium of Light, which was filled with an electric atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon. “Derbies, you have to win, it does not matter how,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team deserves much more – where we are in the league is amazing 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 “proud and happy” with the performance. “It was a derby and we were carrying the hopes of our fans,” he stated. “This win is rightfully earned, we were mature and the lads were superb.” “It's fantastic for the area, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a unique 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 commemorate their win over their rivals. An altered coaching staff and an almost completely different team – but the club at Sunderland remembered vividly. Almost 24 months prior, after Newcastle's thumping 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies celebrated with a full squad photograph on the pitch. Now, the situation were flipped. Nick Woltemade's mistake proved sufficient to hand 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 iconic snapshot at full-time. “Forever inventive, resourceful, flexible,” smiled Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who proposed the idea. Defender Dan Ballard, who conceded an own goal in that cup defeat, was the only Sunderland player to be in the starting XI in each of the games. He revealed how he desperately wanted to avenge the loss, stating: “You cannot describe [the feeling]. It was so painful 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 stuck in there, fought really hard and I thought we merited the win.” Sunderland deliberately echoed this picture from Newcastle's cup win over the Black Cats. ‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’ Occupying seventh spot Sunderland are having 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 yet to lose in the league at the Stadium of Light, which was filled with an electric atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon. “Derbies, you have to win, it does not matter how,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team deserves much more – where we are in the league is amazing 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 “proud and happy” with the performance. “It was a derby and we were carrying the hopes of our fans,” he stated. “This win is rightfully earned, we were mature and the lads were superb.” “It's fantastic for the area, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a unique 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.