The Black Cats Mimic Iconic Newcastle Squad Picture In the Wake of Crucial Derby Win.
A different manager and a vastly altered lineup – but someone at Sunderland had a long memory.
Almost 24 months prior, after Newcastle's thumping 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the visitors marked the occasion with a team picture on the pitch.
This time, the script were flipped.
Nick Woltemade's mistake proved decisive to give Sunderland a historic 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 post-match snapshot at full-time.
“Consistently original, imaginative, versatile,” smiled Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who suggested the idea.
Defender Dan Ballard, who scored an own goal in that previous encounter, was the sole Sunderland player to be in the starting XI in the two games.
He explained how he desperately wanted to rectify the loss, stating: “You cannot describe [the feeling]. It was agonizing for the players and for the fans. We felt we had disappointed them, so we're ecstatic with this win.”
“That experience hardened us. We came in with greater talent in this team, real leaders, 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 in 16 games, their highest total at this stage of a Premier League campaign since 2000-01.
They are still unbeaten 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 deserves much more – 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 most extended period without defeat against the Magpies.
Newcastle's last league win over Sunderland was back in August 2011.
Manager Regis le Bris said he was “extremely pleased” with the performance.
“It was a derby and we were carrying the hopes of our fans,” he added. “This win is well deserved, we were composed and the lads were incredible.”
“It's fantastic 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.”
