Sunderland Stage Famous Newcastle Group Snapshot In the Wake of ‘Special’ Derby Victory.

An altered coaching staff and an almost completely different team – but the club at Sunderland remembered vividly.

Almost 24 months prior, after a comprehensive Magpies victory at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup tie, the Geordies marked the occasion with a team picture on the pitch.

On this occasion, the situation were reversed.

Nick Woltemade's own goal proved decisive to hand Sunderland a long-awaited win over their rivals in the return of the Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 – prompting the hosts to recreate Newcastle's iconic snapshot at full-time.

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

Defender Dan Ballard, who scored an own goal in that previous encounter, was the lone Sunderland player to feature from the beginning in the two games.

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

“It prepared us more for today. We came in with improved ability in this team, true characters, we dug deep, fought really hard and I thought we earned the win.”

‘Local clashes are must-wins, by any means necessary’

Occupying seventh spot Sunderland are experiencing a superb return to the top flight after promotion via the play-offs last season.

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

They are still unbeaten 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 without a loss 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 “extremely pleased” with the result.

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

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