Sunderland vs Newcastle is arguably English football’s most fierce rivalry. While it might not be as popular as the Manchester Derby or North London Derby, the Tyne-Wear derby is definitely the top dog when it comes to passion, hate, pettiness, and shithousery.
Despite being local rivals, the two clubs were separated after Newcastle’s relegation in 2016 and then Sunderland getting relegation the following year, just as Newcastle returned to the top flight.
This weekend marked their first Premier League match in 9 years, with the only meeting in those 9 years coming in the 3rd round of the FA Cup in 2024. Newcastle convincingly beat their rivals 3-0 thanks to a brace from Alexander Isak and a Ballard own goal.
That match also saw Newcastle famously taunting their rivals as they took a team photo in front of the traveling Newcastle fans.
Sunderland, who have been unbeaten against Newcastle at home since 2011, had the chance to take revenge for the photo as they hosted Newcastle this weekend.
Not only did they continue their unbeaten streak at home, but they also capitalized on every opportunity to humiliate their bitter rivals.
After an own goal from Newcastle’s latest star signing, Nick Woltemade, Sunderland displayed the scoreboard as Sunderland 1-0 Visitors, not even displaying the Newcastle badge.
Then, after the full-time whistle, Sunderland took the exact same photo as their rivals did in 2024.
The players, coaches, and staff all huddled up in front of the rabid fans as they celebrated the 1-0 win and took a memorable photo.
Sunderland returned the favour, taking a team photo in front of their fans on the pitch after a 1-0 win over Newcastle 😏
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) December 14, 2025
Newcastle did the same in the FA Cup back in early 2024… pic.twitter.com/v05iqAkALa
Dan Ballard, who scored an own goal in the loss to Newcastle last year, stated that the “hurt” from the Newcastle defeat and subsequent celebratory photo were a big source of motivation for the players.
He recalled the last encounter and had this to say about the role it played in Sunderland’s revenge mission:
“That hurt last time. A lot of the players wanted to do it – but it is what it is. Words can’t describe it. Thinking back to the last game, it was so painful
For the players, for the fans, it felt like we let them down. We were so determined this time. Especially the boys who were there and experienced that day.
It prepared us more for today, we came into the game with a lot more quality in the team and some strong leaders.
It wasn’t the prettiest game but we stuck in there, we fought hard and thoroughly deserved the win.”
While Ballard and Sunderland used the team photo for motivation, fans of Sunderland and neutrals saw it as the perfect opportunity to dunk on Newcastle, one of the most disliked clubs on Football Twitter.
@Mick_Sewell2000: What comes around goes around.
@DaveRyan1970: It absolutely fantastic and exactly the type of shithousery I can get on board with
@Aedoh97438: This is the standard when it comes to HATING!!!
@BoxingFanaticII: It’s this level of shithousery which makes football the best sport on the planet.
@SpaenyHood: Proper derby, this is why i love football.
@Muzangdab_10: This derby is the fiercest in England, they don’t even care about winning trophies, just pure hatred towards one another
@JustAbsie: Football is just better when teams and players get their lick back after keeping receipts.
@Ceorhemz: Sunderland should stay in this league for many more years. We need them for stuff like this. Proper Barclays
@xGunst: Revenge delayed is not revenge denied
@jegshady: I rate this rivalry like mad, they really don’t like each other and that’s what Football should be like, make we hate each other to the bone
@MyNameNaEkene: Yeah, it was a huge favor they had to return
@onemaskedgunner: Newcastle always doing their best to be disliked and it comes naturally to them too.
Meanwhile, Newcastle fans were not taking the loss very well. Lashing out at anything and clutching at straws as neither the fans nor the team were able to make a valid comeback.
@duffys69ers: Hardly mocking us when we done them dirty first? Always trying to be us, never will be
@jimbos_tweets: 3-0 vs 0 goals by a Sunlun player, embarrassing club
@whickamrobbie: It was Newcastle that did the mocking after the 3-0 win. Sunderland just clutching,same as the scoreboard pettyness
@Roger73Green: Bit of a difference between an FA Cup win and winning a league game at home. Small club mentality, Newcastle living rent free in their heads
@richard43432089: They celebrated like they won the premier league sad pricks !
@geordiejosh: Everything they call us cringey for they fucking copy us man my god I hate them
