Sunderland Recreate Iconic Magpies Group Snapshot After ‘Special’ Derby Win.

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

Almost 24 months prior, after a dominant Newcastle performance at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies celebrated with a group photo on the pitch.

Now, the situation were flipped.

Nick Woltemade's mistake proved decisive to hand Sunderland a historic win over their rivals in the first Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to recreate Newcastle's iconic snapshot at full-time.

“Consistently original, imaginative, versatile,” said with a grin Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when questioned about who proposed the photograph.

Defender Dan Ballard, who was unfortunate to score an own goal in that 2024 FA Cup tie, was the lone Sunderland player to feature from the beginning in each of the games.

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

“That experience hardened us. We came in with greater talent in this team, real leaders, we stuck in there, fought really hard and I thought we merited the win.”

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

Occupying seventh spot Sunderland are enjoying a excellent return to the top flight following 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 yet to lose in the league at the Stadium of Light, which had 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 all the way back in 2011.

Manager Regis le Bris said he was “proud and happy” with the outcome.

“It was a derby and we were under pressure to deliver of our fans,” he stated. “This win is well deserved, we were composed and the lads were superb.”

“It's positive for the area, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a unique game, but we have to refocus immediately as we have another difficult test in Brighton in one week.”