The Black Cats Stage Famous Magpies Team Photo After ‘Special’ Local Rivalry Win.

An altered coaching staff and a vastly altered lineup – but the club 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 commemorated the moment with a team picture on the pitch.

Now, the roles were reversed.

Nick Woltemade's own goal proved enough to hand Sunderland a long-awaited 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.

“Forever inventive, resourceful, flexible,” remarked Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when pressed about who proposed the photograph.

Defender Dan Ballard, who scored an own goal in that 2024 FA Cup tie, was the lone Sunderland player to feature from the beginning in each of the games.

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

“It served as motivation. We came in with improved ability in this team, true characters, we persevered, fought really hard and I thought we earned the win.”

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

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

The Black Cats have 26 points on the board in 16 games, their best return 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 had an incredible atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon.

“These games are all about the victory, by hook or by crook,” 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 without a loss 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 “extremely pleased” with the performance.

“It was a derby and we were under pressure to deliver of our fans,” he added. “This win is fully merited, we were mature and the lads were superb.”

“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.”