Sunderland Stage Notorious Magpies Group Snapshot Following Crucial Local Rivalry Win.
A different manager and a largely changed squad – but someone at Sunderland remembered vividly.
Nearly two years ago, after a comprehensive Magpies victory at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies commemorated the moment with a full squad photograph on the pitch.
Now, the situation were flipped.
Nick Woltemade's unfortunate deflection proved decisive to hand Sunderland a memorable win over their rivals in the inaugural Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to recreate Newcastle's iconic snapshot at full-time.
“Always unpredictable, creative, adaptive,” smiled Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who proposed the photograph.
Defender Dan Ballard, who was unfortunate to score an own goal in that previous encounter, was the lone Sunderland player to feature from the beginning in both games.
He disclosed how he desperately wanted to make amends for the loss, stating: “It's indescribable. It was agonizing for the players and for the fans. We felt we had let them down, so we're ecstatic with this win.”
“It prepared us more for today. We came in with more quality in this team, real leaders, we dug deep, fought really hard and I thought we earned the win.”
‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’
Sitting in seventh Sunderland are having a outstanding 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 undefeated in the league at the Stadium of Light, which had an electric atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon.
“These games are all about the victory, by hook or by crook,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team merits greater recognition – 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 all the way back in 2011.
Manager Regis le Bris said he was “proud and happy” with the performance.
“It was a derby and we were expected [to win] of our fans,” he stated. “This win is rightfully earned, we were mature and the lads were outstanding.”
“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.”
