Sunderland Recreate Famous Newcastle Squad Picture In the Wake of Crucial Derby Victory.

A different manager and a vastly altered lineup – but the club at Sunderland had a long memory.

Back in 2024, after Newcastle's thumping 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the visitors marked the occasion with a group photo on the pitch.

Now, the situation were flipped.

Nick Woltemade's unfortunate deflection proved sufficient to hand Sunderland a memorable win over their rivals in the inaugural Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to stage their own version of Newcastle's celebratory snapshot at full-time.

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

Defender Dan Ballard, who conceded an own goal in that cup defeat, was the lone Sunderland player to be in the starting XI in each of the games.

He disclosed how he was eager to avenge the loss, stating: “Words can't express it. It was heartbreaking for the players and for the fans. We felt we had let them down, so we're overjoyed with this win.”

“It served as motivation. We came in with greater talent in this team, real leaders, we persevered, fought really hard and I thought we merited the win.”

‘Derbies you have to win, it does not matter how’

Sitting in seventh Sunderland are enjoying a excellent return to the top flight post promotion via the play-offs last season.

The Black Cats have 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 boasted an incredible 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 incredible and we're working really hard.”

Sunderland are also undefeated 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 “proud and happy” with the performance.

“It was a derby and we were carrying the hopes of our fans,” he added. “This win is well deserved, we were mature and the lads were superb.”

“It's fantastic for the local community, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a unique game, but we have to turn the page as we have another difficult test in Brighton in one week.”