The Black Cats Mimic Notorious Magpies Group Snapshot After Crucial Local Rivalry Triumph.

An altered coaching staff and a vastly altered lineup – but someone 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 commemorated the moment with a group photo on the pitch.

Now, the situation were reversed.

Nick Woltemade's own goal proved enough to deliver Sunderland a long-awaited 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 iconic snapshot at full-time.

“Forever inventive, resourceful, flexible,” said with a grin Black Cats manager Regis le Bris when pressed about who came up with the gesture.

Defender Dan Ballard, who was unfortunate to score an own goal in that previous encounter, was the sole Sunderland player to be in the starting XI in both games.

He revealed how he was determined to make amends for 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 overjoyed with this win.”

“It served as motivation. We came in with more quality in this team, real leaders, we stuck in there, 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 having a outstanding 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 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 incredible and we're working really hard.”

Sunderland are also undefeated in their last 10 league games against Newcastle, their most extended period without defeat against the Magpies.

Newcastle's last league win over Sunderland was over a decade ago.

Manager Regis le Bris said he was “proud and happy” with the outcome.

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

“It's fantastic for the area, 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.”