Sunderland savoured their sweetest victory in years on Monday (AEDT), beating Newcastle United 1-0 in a Premier League derby that served as perfect revenge for a painful FA Cup humiliation in 2024.
Sunderland's triumph at the Stadium of Light was sealed by an unfortunate own goal from Newcastle's Nick Woltemade, lifting the hosts to seventh place and within two points of the top four.
The victory was particularly sweet for defender Dan Ballard, who had scored an own goal in Sunderland's crushing 3-0 FA Cup defeat by Newcastle in January 2024 – the teams' only meeting since 2016 before this lively encounter.
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"You cannot describe (the feeling). It was so painful (losing at home to Newcastle) for the players and for the fans. We felt we had let them down, so we're delighted with this win," Ballard said.
"It prepared us more for today. 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.
"There was not much in the game in terms of chances. When you go a goal ahead, it's about game management, and I thought we did that very well. The boys were brilliant."
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BLACK CATS vs MAGPIES
Sunderland made their feelings crystal clear before kickoff, unfurling a massive banner showing a ferocious black cat pouncing on a terrified magpie – in reference to Newcastle's nickname.
The home side's contempt was further displayed on the digital scoreboard, which replaced Newcastle's name and crest with just one word – 'Visitors.'
When the game kicked off, Newcastle huffed and puffed to no avail while Sunderland looked more likely to score as they piled on the pressure throughout the match.
When the final whistle blew, Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris was mobbed by his coaching staff while the home crowd, who had also given Woltemade a cheeky standing ovation when he was substituted, erupted.
Sunderland even replicated Newcastle's team photo in front of the away end in 2024 by taking their own picture in front of the Roker End.
"We will enjoy this result, but I am happy for the players, the club and the fans because they deserve it," Le Bris said.
"I understood what this game meant to the people of the community really quickly; it was probably on the first day when I arrived.
"I am happy for the fans because it was an important game for them, and they were part of the process today.
"It is so enjoyable to feel this energy and support."
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Elsewhere, Manchester City maintained their squeeze on Arsenal at the top of the Premier League with a 3-0 victory at Crystal Palace, a result that keeps Pep Guardiola's side lurking two points behind the leaders and ready to pounce.
At Selhurst Park, Erling Haaland scored twice, and Phil Foden added another as second-placed City, who have 34 points, stayed in touch with Arsenal, who needed two own goals in a nervy 2-1 win over rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Haaland met Matheus Nunes' cross with a thundering header after 41 minutes, and Foden doubled the lead when he fired past Henderson from the edge of the box in the 69th.
Haaland sealed the victory from the penalty spot late on after goalkeeper Dean Henderson fouled Savinho.
"Erling is a forward to score the goals, but in the second half, he keeps the ball," Guardiola said.
"He was able to contain situations. He helped us be together. In the second half, he was outstanding."
ROGERS DOUBLE LIFTS VILLA TO VICTORY
At London Stadium, Morgan Rogers struck twice in a 3-2 win to put Aston Villa on 33 points in third spot. West Ham's sixth home defeat of the season left them third from bottom with 13 points.
Villa conceded after 29 seconds as Mateus Fernandes punished a mistake by Ezri Konsa, and the away side trailed 2-1 at the interval before Rogers took matters into his own hands.
He drilled home an equaliser five minutes after the break and then smashed a dipping drive past keeper Alphonse Areola late on to seal the points.
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Villa had cancelled out West Ham's early opener in the 10th minute with defender Konstantinos Mavropanos credited with an own goal, but Jarrod Bowen put the hosts back in front.
"We needed to keep calm and be consistent and demanding in our game plan," Villa boss Unai Emery said.
"I like how the players are responding, how they are getting the challenges we are sending in the dressing room, but now everything is done, and we go again."
At the City Ground, Callum Hudson-Odoi bagged a double in a 3-0 win, and Ibrahim Sangare added a late goal to lift Nottingham Forest five points clear of the danger zone in 16th. Tottenham Hotspur are 11th on 22 points.
"The players are looking fitter, sharper, and I know we have quality here; it was on show today," Forest boss Sean Dyche said.
"It's often about building the basics. The players are doing it brilliantly. We're building that squad mentality."
Leeds United salvaged a point in the late game after Dominic Calvert-Lewin struck in the 82nd minute, heading home Wilfried Gnonto's cross for a 1-1 draw against Brentford.
The goal cancelled out Jordan Henderson's strike in the 70th minute.
Leeds are 17th in the standings, three points above the relegation zone, while Brentford are 14th on 20 points.
