Sunderland Recreate Iconic Magpies Group Snapshot In the Wake of Crucial Local Rivalry Triumph.

New leadership and a vastly altered lineup – but someone at Sunderland remembered vividly.

Nearly two years ago, after Newcastle's thumping 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the rivals celebrated with a group photo on the pitch.

Now, the roles were turned on their head.

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

“Consistently original, imaginative, versatile,” said with a grin Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when questioned about who proposed the idea.

Defender Dan Ballard, who scored an own goal in that previous encounter, was the only Sunderland player to be in the starting XI in each of the games.

He explained how he was eager to avenge the loss, stating: “Words can't express it. It was agonizing for the players and for the fans. We felt we had disappointed them, so we're delighted with this win.”

“It prepared us more for today. We came in with more quality in this team, real leaders, we persevered, fought really hard and I thought we deserved the win.”

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

Occupying seventh spot Sunderland are having a superb return to the top flight following promotion via the play-offs last season.

The Black Cats have 26 points on the board in 16 games, their most at this stage of a Premier League campaign since 2000-01.

They are undefeated in the league at the Stadium of Light, which had 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 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 outcome.

“It was a derby and we were carrying the hopes of our fans,” he stated. “This win is rightfully earned, we were composed 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 turn the page as we have another hard game in Brighton in one week.”