Sunderland Mimic Famous Newcastle Team Photo After Crucial Derby Victory.
An altered coaching staff and a vastly altered lineup – but the club at Sunderland remembered vividly.
Almost 24 months prior, after a dominant Newcastle performance at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the rivals commemorated the moment with a group photo on the pitch.
This time, the roles were turned on their head.
Nick Woltemade's mistake 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 stage their own version of Newcastle's iconic snapshot at full-time.
“Always unpredictable, creative, adaptive,” said with a grin Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when pressed about who proposed the idea.
Defender Dan Ballard, who scored an own goal in that previous encounter, was the only Sunderland player to be in the starting XI in the two games.
He disclosed how he was eager to avenge 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 overjoyed with this win.”
“That experience hardened us. We came in with more quality in this team, true characters, we persevered, fought really hard and I thought we merited the win.”
‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’
Sitting in seventh Sunderland are enjoying a excellent 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 highest total 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 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 merits greater recognition – where we are in the league is amazing 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 performance.
“It was a derby and we were under pressure to deliver of our fans,” he continued. “This win is well deserved, we were composed and the lads were outstanding.”
“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 difficult test in Brighton in one week.”
