The Black Cats Mimic Famous Newcastle Group Snapshot In the Wake of ‘Special’ Local Rivalry Win.

A different manager and a vastly altered lineup – but the club at Sunderland had a long memory.

Nearly two years ago, after a dominant Newcastle performance at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the visitors celebrated with a full squad photograph on the pitch.

Now, the situation were turned on their head.

Nick Woltemade's unfortunate deflection proved enough to deliver Sunderland a long-awaited win over their rivals in the inaugural Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to mimic Newcastle's celebratory snapshot at full-time.

“Consistently original, imaginative, versatile,” smiled Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who came up with the photograph.

Defender Dan Ballard, who conceded 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 rectify the loss, stating: “It's indescribable. It was so painful for the players and for the fans. We felt we had failed them, so we're overjoyed with this win.”

“That experience hardened us. We came in with greater talent in this team, real leaders, we persevered, fought really hard and I thought we deserved the win.”

‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’

Seventh-placed Sunderland are having a excellent return to the top flight following promotion via the play-offs last season.

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

They are yet to lose in the league at the Stadium of Light, which had an incredible 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 longest such run without defeat against the Magpies.

Newcastle's last league win over Sunderland was back in August 2011.

Manager Regis le Bris said he was “delighted and satisfied” with the performance.

“It was a derby and we were expected [to win] of our fans,” he stated. “This win is well deserved, we were composed and the lads were superb.”

“It's good for the region, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a special game, but we have to refocus immediately as we have another difficult test in Brighton in one week.”