The Black Cats Mimic Notorious Newcastle Group Snapshot Following ‘Special’ Local Rivalry Triumph.
A different manager and an almost completely different team – but the club at Sunderland had a long memory.
Almost 24 months prior, after a comprehensive Magpies victory at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies marked the occasion with a team picture on the pitch.
On this occasion, the roles were turned on their head.
Nick Woltemade's own goal proved sufficient 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 post-match snapshot at full-time.
“Consistently original, imaginative, versatile,” remarked Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when questioned about who suggested the gesture.
Defender Dan Ballard, who scored an own goal in that cup defeat, was the only Sunderland player to be in the starting XI in the two games.
He disclosed how he was determined to make amends for the loss, stating: “It's indescribable. It was so painful for the players and for the fans. We felt we had failed them, so we're delighted with this win.”
“It prepared us more for today. We came in with greater talent in this team, true characters, we stuck in there, fought really hard and I thought we earned the win.”
‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’
Occupying seventh spot Sunderland are experiencing 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 highest total at this stage of a Premier League campaign since 2000-01.
They are still unbeaten in the league at the Stadium of Light, which boasted an feverish atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon.
“These games are all about the victory, by hook or by crook,” 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 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 “delighted and satisfied” with the outcome.
“It was a derby and we were expected [to win] of our fans,” he continued. “This win is well deserved, we were mature and the lads were superb.”
“It's positive for the local community, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a special game, but we have to turn the page as we have another hard game in Brighton in one week.”
