Sunderland Mimic Iconic Magpies Team Photo Following ‘Special’ Local Rivalry Victory.

New leadership and an almost completely different team – but the club at Sunderland remembered vividly.

Almost 24 months prior, after a comprehensive Magpies victory at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the rivals celebrated with a group photo on the pitch.

Now, the situation were flipped.

Nick Woltemade's own goal proved enough to hand Sunderland a memorable win over their rivals in the first Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to mimic Newcastle's post-match snapshot at full-time.

“Always unpredictable, creative, adaptive,” remarked Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when pressed about who proposed the gesture.

Defender Dan Ballard, who scored an own goal in that 2024 FA Cup tie, was the lone Sunderland player to be in the starting XI in both games.

He explained how he was eager to make amends for the loss, stating: “It's indescribable. 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 improved ability in this team, true characters, we dug deep, fought really hard and I thought we deserved the win.”

‘Derbies you have to win, it does not matter how’

Seventh-placed Sunderland are having a superb return to the top flight after promotion via the play-offs last season.

The Black Cats have a tally of 26 points in 16 games, their best return 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.

“These games are all about the victory, by hook or by crook,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team is worthy of more respect – where we are in the league is amazing and we're working really hard.”

Sunderland are also unbeaten 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 back in August 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 stated. “This win is rightfully earned, we were mature and the lads were outstanding.”

“It's fantastic for the region, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a special game, but we have to refocus immediately as we have another hard game in Brighton in one week.”