Sunderland Mirrors Newcastle Team Photo After Historic Derby Win

A New Era for Sunderland

Sunderland, under new management and featuring a largely revamped squad, has made a lasting impression following their latest clash with Newcastle. Two years prior, Newcastle celebrated a commanding 3-0 victory in the FA Cup at the Stadium of Light, posing for a full team photograph in front of their enthusiastic supporters.

Fast forward to today, the Black Cats turned the tables. An own goal by Nick Woltemade secured a defining victory for Sunderland during their first Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016. The hosts proudly celebrated at the end of the match by recreating the iconic photograph taken by Newcastle after their previous triumph.

When questioned about the inspiration behind this gesture, Sunderland manager Regis le Bris simply remarked, “Always unpredictable, creative, adaptive.”

A Player’s Perspective

Defender Dan Ballard, who participated in both matches, lamented the previous loss and expressed his desire for redemption. He shared with Sky Sports: “You can’t put into words [the pain of losing to Newcastle]. We felt like we let down the fans, so this win is extremely rewarding.”

“We were more prepared this time with a stronger lineup, showcasing true leadership. Everyone put in a hard fight, and I believe we earned this victory.”

Celebrating the Win

Sunderland Triumph Over Newcastle

• Sunderland’s strong season has them sitting seventh in the league, enjoying a successful return to the Premier League after being promoted via play-offs.

• The team boasts a commendable 26 points from 16 games, matching their best performance at this stage of a Premier League season since the 2000-01 campaign, where they also finished seventh.

• Sunderland remains unbeaten at the Stadium of Light this season, with the atmosphere reaching new heights during the derby.

Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka emphasized the significance of derby wins: “In derbies, victory is vital, regardless of the circumstances. This team deserves greater respect, and our current league position is remarkable. We are working incredibly hard.”

Additionally, Sunderland has gone ten league games without a loss against Newcastle, a streak that includes seven victories and three draws, marking their best run against their rivals.

Newcastle’s most recent league win over Sunderland dates back to August 2011, illustrating the shift in fortunes between the two clubs.

Manager le Bris expressed his pride over the team’s achievement, stating, “It was a derby, and our fans expected us to win. This victory is well-earned; the players delivered an incredible performance. It’s a positive outcome for the region, the club, and the fans. While it was a special match, we must quickly shift our focus as we face another formidable opponent in Brighton next week.”

The Celebration Captured

Sunderland players and staff took the opportunity to commemorate their derby win with a group photo, echoing the tradition established by Newcastle in their previous victory. The scoreboard at the Stadium of Light subtly omitted Newcastle’s name—just another reminder of the day’s significance.

Sunderland’s performance in this match exemplifies how far they have come and sets the stage for an exciting future as they look to build on this momentum in the league.