Sunderland Stage Notorious Newcastle Team Photo After Crucial Local Rivalry Triumph.
A different manager and a vastly altered lineup – but someone 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.
Now, the roles were reversed.
Nick Woltemade's own goal proved sufficient to hand Sunderland a long-awaited win over their rivals in the inaugural Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to mimic Newcastle's post-match snapshot at full-time.
“Always unpredictable, creative, adaptive,” smiled Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who proposed the idea.
Defender Dan Ballard, who conceded an own goal in that previous encounter, was the lone Sunderland player to start in both games.
He disclosed how he was eager to rectify 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 overjoyed with this win.”
“That experience hardened us. We came in with more quality in this team, true characters, we dug deep, fought really hard and I thought we deserved the win.”
‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’
Sitting in seventh Sunderland are having a superb 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 undefeated in the league at the Stadium of Light, which was filled with an feverish 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 remarkable and we're working really hard.”
Sunderland are also undefeated 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 “extremely pleased” with the result.
“It was a derby and we were carrying the hopes of our fans,” he continued. “This win is fully merited, we were composed and the lads were incredible.”
“It's positive for the local community, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a huge game, but we have to turn the page as we have another hard game in Brighton in one week.”
