Sunderland Stage Famous Magpies Group Snapshot After Crucial Derby Win.
An altered coaching staff and an almost completely different team – but the club at Sunderland wasn't going to forget.
Almost 24 months prior, after a dominant Newcastle performance at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies commemorated the moment with a group photo on the pitch.
Now, the script were reversed.
Nick Woltemade's mistake proved decisive to give Sunderland a memorable win over their rivals in the return of the Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to stage their own version of 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 idea.
Defender Dan Ballard, who scored an own goal in that cup defeat, was the sole Sunderland player to start in each of the games.
He revealed how he was eager to avenge the loss, stating: “It's indescribable. 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 more quality in this team, real leaders, we dug deep, fought really hard and I thought we deserved the win.”
‘Local clashes are must-wins, by any means necessary’
Sitting in seventh Sunderland are experiencing 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 undefeated in the league at the Stadium of Light, which boasted an incredible atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon.
“Derbies, you have to win, it does not matter how,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team deserves much more – where we are in the league is amazing 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 “proud and happy” with the performance.
“It was a derby and we were carrying the hopes of our fans,” he stated. “This win is fully merited, we were composed and the lads were outstanding.”
“It's positive for the area, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a unique game, but we have to reset quickly as we have another tough challenge in Brighton in one week.”
