🔗 Share this article Sunderland Stage Notorious Newcastle Group Snapshot In the Wake of ‘Special’ Derby Victory. A commemorative snap was taken by the squad to celebrate their victory over their rivals. An altered coaching staff and an almost completely different team – but someone at Sunderland remembered vividly. Almost 24 months prior, after a dominant Newcastle performance at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the visitors celebrated with a group photo on the pitch. On this occasion, the script were turned on their head. Nick Woltemade's mistake proved enough to hand Sunderland a historic 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,” smiled Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when pressed about who suggested 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 was eager to avenge the loss, stating: “You cannot describe [the feeling]. It was heartbreaking for the players and for the fans. We felt we had disappointed them, so we're delighted with this win.” “It served as motivation. We came in with more quality in this team, strong personalities, we persevered, fought really hard and I thought we deserved the win.” Sunderland recreated this picture from Newcastle's previous triumph over the Black Cats. ‘Derbies you have to win, it does not matter how’ Seventh-placed Sunderland are experiencing a outstanding 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 still unbeaten in the league at the Stadium of Light, which was filled with an feverish 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 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 back in August 2011. Manager Regis le Bris said he was “extremely pleased” with the performance. “It was a derby and we were carrying the hopes of our fans,” he added. “This win is fully merited, we were composed and the lads were superb.” “It's positive for the local community, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a unique game, but we have to reset quickly as we have another difficult test in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light chose not to show Newcastle's name.
A commemorative snap was taken by the squad to celebrate their victory over their rivals. An altered coaching staff and an almost completely different team – but someone at Sunderland remembered vividly. Almost 24 months prior, after a dominant Newcastle performance at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the visitors celebrated with a group photo on the pitch. On this occasion, the script were turned on their head. Nick Woltemade's mistake proved enough to hand Sunderland a historic 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,” smiled Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when pressed about who suggested 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 was eager to avenge the loss, stating: “You cannot describe [the feeling]. It was heartbreaking for the players and for the fans. We felt we had disappointed them, so we're delighted with this win.” “It served as motivation. We came in with more quality in this team, strong personalities, we persevered, fought really hard and I thought we deserved the win.” Sunderland recreated this picture from Newcastle's previous triumph over the Black Cats. ‘Derbies you have to win, it does not matter how’ Seventh-placed Sunderland are experiencing a outstanding 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 still unbeaten in the league at the Stadium of Light, which was filled with an feverish 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 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 back in August 2011. Manager Regis le Bris said he was “extremely pleased” with the performance. “It was a derby and we were carrying the hopes of our fans,” he added. “This win is fully merited, we were composed and the lads were superb.” “It's positive for the local community, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a unique game, but we have to reset quickly as we have another difficult test in Brighton in one week.” The Sunderland scoreboard at Stadium of Light chose not to show Newcastle's name.