Sunderland Stage Iconic Magpies Group Snapshot In the Wake of Pivotal Local Rivalry Triumph.

A different manager and a vastly altered lineup – but those involved at Sunderland wasn't going to forget.

Almost 24 months prior, after a comprehensive Magpies victory at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies marked the occasion with a team picture on the pitch.

This time, the script were flipped.

Nick Woltemade's own goal proved sufficient to deliver Sunderland a historic 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 celebratory snapshot at full-time.

“Forever inventive, resourceful, flexible,” said with a grin Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who proposed the photograph.

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

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

“It served as motivation. We came in with greater talent in this team, strong personalities, we stuck in there, fought really hard and I thought we earned the win.”

‘Local clashes are must-wins, by any means necessary’

Occupying seventh spot Sunderland are experiencing 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 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 was filled with 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 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 all the way back in 2011.

Manager Regis le Bris said he was “extremely pleased” with the result.

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

“It's fantastic for the region, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a huge game, but we have to turn the page as we have another hard game in Brighton in one week.”