Sunderland Mimic Famous Newcastle Group Snapshot Following Crucial Local Rivalry Win.

An altered coaching staff and a largely changed squad – but the club 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 Geordies commemorated the moment with a full squad photograph on the pitch.

On this occasion, the roles were reversed.

Nick Woltemade's mistake proved decisive to give Sunderland a historic win over their rivals in the inaugural Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to stage their own version of Newcastle's iconic snapshot at full-time.

“Always unpredictable, creative, adaptive,” smiled Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when pressed about who came up with the photograph.

Defender Dan Ballard, who conceded an own goal in that previous encounter, was the lone Sunderland player to be in the starting XI in the two games.

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

“That experience hardened us. We came in with improved ability in this team, real leaders, we stuck in there, fought really hard and I thought we deserved the win.”

‘Rivalry games demand victory, regardless of the performance’

Sitting in seventh Sunderland are enjoying a excellent return to the top flight post promotion via the play-offs last season.

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

They are still unbeaten in the league at the Stadium of Light, which boasted 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 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 “extremely pleased” with the result.

“It was a derby and we were carrying the hopes of our fans,” he added. “This win is fully merited, we were mature and the lads were superb.”

“It's fantastic 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.”