Sunderland Mimic Iconic Newcastle Team Photo Following ‘Special’ Local Rivalry Triumph.

New leadership and an almost completely different team – but someone at Sunderland had a long memory.

Back in 2024, after a comprehensive Magpies victory at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the visitors celebrated with a full squad photograph on the pitch.

Now, the script were flipped.

Nick Woltemade's mistake proved sufficient to give Sunderland a historic win over their rivals in the first 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,” remarked Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who proposed the photograph.

Defender Dan Ballard, who conceded an own goal in that previous encounter, was the sole Sunderland player to feature from the beginning in each of the games.

He revealed how he was determined to rectify the loss, stating: “You cannot describe [the feeling]. It was agonizing for the players and for the fans. We felt we had failed them, so we're overjoyed with this win.”

“It prepared us more for today. We came in with greater talent in this team, strong personalities, we dug deep, fought really hard and I thought we deserved 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 post promotion via the play-offs last season.

The Black Cats have a tally of 26 points in 16 games, their most at this stage of a Premier League campaign since 2000-01.

They are undefeated in the league at the Stadium of Light, which boasted an electric atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon.

“Derbies, you have to win, it does not matter how,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team is worthy of more respect – where we are in the league is incredible and we're working really hard.”

Sunderland are also undefeated in their last 10 league games against Newcastle, their best-ever streak 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 added. “This win is fully merited, we were disciplined and the lads were incredible.”

“It's good for the region, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a special game, but we have to reset quickly as we have another tough challenge in Brighton in one week.”