Sunderland took the Tyne-Wear derby rivalry to unprecedented levels of pettiness on Sunday, refusing to display Newcastle’s name on the Stadium of Light scoreboard during their 1-0 victory.

The Black Cats secured bragging rights on the pitch thanks to a bizarre Nick Woltemade own goal, but it was the club’s off-pitch antics that sparked a frenzy on social media.

In a move widely celebrated by the home faithful, Sunderland broke with Premier League protocol to deliver a calculated insult to their bitter rivals Newcastle.

Sunderland refuse to name Newcastle on stadium scoreboard

Fans inside the stadium and viewers at home were quick to spot the deliberate omission.

While every other away side at the Stadium of Light this season has been afforded the courtesy of having their full club name displayed, Newcastle were reduced to a single generic word: “Visitors.”

The digital scoreboard read ‘Sunderland 1 – 0 Visitors’ for the duration of the match.

The decision was no accident. Reports confirmed that previous opponents had their names and crests fully visible, making this a specific, sanctioned dig at the Magpies.

It set the tone for a hostile atmosphere where Regis Le Bris’s side ultimately stifled Eddie Howe’s men to claim a vital three points.

Sunderland take long-awaited revenge

This top-tier pettiness was widely interpreted as long-awaited revenge for the January 2024 FA Cup debacle.

On that occasion, Sunderland’s ownership faced a mutiny after allowing the ‘Black Cats Bar’ to be redecorated with Newcastle slogans to welcome corporate hospitality guests.

Sunday was the payback. Not only did they erase Newcastle’s identity from the screens, but the Sunderland squad also twisted the knife after the final whistle.

Sunderland returned the favour, taking a team photo in front of their fans on the pitch after a 1-0 win over Newcastle ?

Newcastle did the same in the FA Cup back in early 2024… pic.twitter.com/v05iqAkALa

— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) December 14, 2025

Replicating the infamous team photo celebration that Newcastle assistant Jason Tindall orchestrated on the Stadium of Light turf two years ago, the Sunderland players and staff gathered in front of the South Stand to recreate the exact pose, mocking their neighbours in the most direct way possible.

The post Sunderland take rivalry with Newcastle to new level with two brutal gestures during 1-0 win appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Sunderland have plans to add to their squad in January, but there could also be players on their way out of the Stadium of Light. One of those that may end up moving on is Eliezer Mayenda, who has struggled for prominence since promotion to the Premier League.

Mayenda was a standout performer in the Championship, but since the arrival of Brian Brobbey in the summer, he has struggled for regular minutes. He is currently third in the pecking order behind Wilson Isidor and the Netherlands international, which has led to him making only eight appearances in the Premier League – three of those have been from the start.

Mayenda was linked with a move to Leeds in 2024, but on this occasion, his destination could be the Bundesliga.

Elienzer Mayenda wanted by clubs in Germany

According to RTL/ntv and Sport.de (via Sport Witness), Mayenda is attracting interest from at least one club in the German top flight, who are as yet unnamed. His struggle for minutes this season is seen as an opportunity to sign the Spain U21 international, who could also be open to the move given his situation on Wearside.

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Should Sunderland consider letting Eliezer Mayenda go?

It must be remembered that Mayenda is only 20 years of age, and while he did well in the Championship last season, the Premier League is a different kettle of fish. Regis Le Bris will be aware of this, hence his decision to not overly count on him.

It would make little sense for Sunderland to sell Mayenda, but were a loan move to be agreed, it’d be ideal for all parties. He needs minutes, and the chance to do that in the Bundesliga would surely be an opportunities that he would not turn down.

The post Sunderland striker set to leave for Bundesliga appeared first on CaughtOffside.