The Black Cats Recreate Famous Newcastle Squad Picture Following Pivotal Derby Victory.

A different manager and an almost completely different team – but those involved at Sunderland wasn't going to forget.

Almost 24 months prior, after a dominant Newcastle performance at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the visitors marked the occasion with a group photo on the pitch.

On this occasion, the situation were reversed.

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

“Consistently original, imaginative, versatile,” remarked Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when pressed about who proposed the gesture.

Defender Dan Ballard, who conceded an own goal in that cup defeat, was the sole Sunderland player to start in the two games.

He explained how he was eager to rectify the loss, stating: “Words can't express it. It was agonizing for the players and for the fans. We felt we had failed them, so we're ecstatic with this win.”

“That experience hardened us. We came in with improved ability in this team, true characters, we persevered, 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 experiencing a superb return to the top flight post promotion via the play-offs last season.

The Black Cats have a tally of 26 points in 16 games, their most 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 merits greater recognition – where we are in the league is incredible and we're working really hard.”

Sunderland are also undefeated 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 over a decade ago.

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

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

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