The Black Cats Recreate Famous Magpies Group Snapshot After Crucial Derby Win.
New leadership and a largely changed squad – but the club at Sunderland had a long memory.
Nearly two years ago, after a comprehensive Magpies victory at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the rivals marked the occasion with a group photo on the pitch.
This time, the situation were reversed.
Nick Woltemade's unfortunate deflection 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 mimic Newcastle's celebratory snapshot at full-time.
“Forever inventive, resourceful, flexible,” remarked Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when pressed about who suggested the idea.
Defender Dan Ballard, who scored an own goal in that previous encounter, was the lone Sunderland player to start in the two games.
He revealed how he desperately wanted to avenge the loss, stating: “It's indescribable. It was heartbreaking for the players and for the fans. We felt we had disappointed them, so we're delighted with this win.”
“That experience hardened us. We came in with improved ability in this team, strong personalities, we stuck in there, 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 experiencing a superb return to the top flight following promotion via the play-offs last season.
The Black Cats have 26 points on the board in 16 games, their best return 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 feverish atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon.
“In local rivalry matches, the result is everything, the performance secondary,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team is worthy of more respect – 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 most extended period 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 “delighted and satisfied” with the result.
“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 region, 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.”
