Sunderland Mimic Iconic Newcastle Team Photo After Pivotal Derby Triumph.

A different manager and an almost completely different team – but the club at Sunderland had a long memory.

Almost 24 months prior, after a comprehensive Magpies victory at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the visitors celebrated with a group photo on the pitch.

Now, the script were turned on their head.

Nick Woltemade's mistake proved decisive to give Sunderland a memorable win over their rivals in the return of the Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to mimic Newcastle's post-match snapshot at full-time.

“Always unpredictable, creative, adaptive,” remarked Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when asked about who suggested the gesture.

Defender Dan Ballard, who conceded an own goal in that 2024 FA Cup tie, was the only Sunderland player to be in the starting XI in the two games.

He revealed how he was eager to make amends for the loss, stating: “It's indescribable. It was agonizing for the players and for the fans. We felt we had disappointed them, so we're ecstatic with this win.”

“That experience hardened us. We came in with improved ability in this team, strong personalities, we dug deep, fought really hard and I thought we earned the win.”

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

Seventh-placed Sunderland are experiencing a excellent return to the top flight after 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 still unbeaten in the league at the Stadium of Light, which was filled with an electric atmosphere for most of Sunday afternoon.

“These games are all about the victory, by hook or by crook,” said captain Granit Xhaka. “This team deserves much more – where we are in the league is remarkable 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 outcome.

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

“It's fantastic for the area, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a huge game, but we have to refocus immediately as we have another tough challenge in Brighton in one week.”