Sunderland have had the last laugh as they took revenge on Newcastle United and assistant manager Jason Tindall with a mocking celebration following the Black Cats winning the Tyne-Wear Derby.
The hosts won local bragging rights in the North East at the Stadium of Light with a 1-0 victory courtesy of Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade putting through his own net at the start of the second half.
The result means that Regis le Bris's side are now four points clear of their rivals and remain in the top half of the Premier League table.
It continues Sunderland's impressive start to life back in the Premier League and they are comfortably performing the best out of the three promoted sides.
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In victory, Sunderland celebrated their win by taking a team photo with the first team staff and squad in front of their supporters in jubilant scenes at the Stadium of Light.
And in doing so, they took revenge on Newcastle and in particular Magpies assistant manager Tindall by mocking them.
In January 2024, Tindall called Newcastle's medical, sports science and analysis teams on to the pitch to celebrate with the squad in front of the club's supporters following a 3-0 win in the FA Cup and that moment was snapped by photographers.
Sunderland have now returned that favour in the Premier League.
Newcastle counterpart Eddie Howe admitted it was a bad day in the office for his side and they lacked quality, but that Woltemade's own goal was a 'freak' effort.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "It was not our finest game. The effort was there but the quality was not. It was a game of really few chances decided by a freak goal and we could not create the opening we wanted.
"The goal came at a really bad time and was bad in its construction - Nick has not meant to do it but it has decided the game. I thought we had defended pretty well.
"The quality was missing in both halves, we were disappointed with our creative output. There was more intensity and more bravery on the ball after the changes without creating the chances and their goalkeeper was not overworked.
"We know how much this means and all the focus on today was huge. We tried to deliver our best performance and we haven't done that. We feel disappointed in ourselves and that we left something on the pitch and that's a horrible feeling."
Sunderland boss Le Bris admitted he was 'proud and happy' after the win over his club's local rivals.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "It was a derby and we were expected [to win] by our fans. This win is well deserved, we were mature and the lads were incredible.
"During the first half tactically it was really good, just small details about the shape, then it was a question of being more clinical in the final third. We had good control and some times were more patient.
"It was a good level of maturity, so happy for the lads and it is good for our fans."
Topics: Sunderland, Newcastle United, Premier League
John McDougall