The Black Cats Recreate Notorious Newcastle Squad Picture In the Wake of Crucial Local Rivalry Win.

A different manager and a largely changed squad – but the club at Sunderland remembered vividly.

Nearly two years ago, after a comprehensive Magpies victory at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies celebrated with a group photo on the pitch.

Now, the situation were reversed.

Nick Woltemade's mistake proved enough to hand Sunderland a memorable win over their rivals in the inaugural Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to recreate Newcastle's celebratory snapshot at full-time.

“Always unpredictable, creative, adaptive,” remarked Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who came up with the idea.

Defender Dan Ballard, who scored an own goal in that cup defeat, was the only Sunderland player to be in the starting XI in both games.

He disclosed how he desperately wanted to avenge the loss, stating: “You cannot describe [the feeling]. It was agonizing for the players and for the fans. We felt we had failed them, so we're ecstatic with this win.”

“It prepared us more for today. We came in with improved ability in this team, strong personalities, we stuck in there, fought really hard and I thought we deserved the win.”

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

Sitting in seventh Sunderland are enjoying a excellent 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 electric 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 longest such run 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 “delighted and satisfied” with the performance.

“It was a derby and we were under pressure to deliver of our fans,” he stated. “This win is well deserved, we were composed and the lads were outstanding.”

“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 difficult test in Brighton in one week.”