XHAKA'S CLASSY MESSAGE

Granit Xhaka described playing for Sunderland as 'a privilege' and was proud of the team's efforts in the Wear-Tyne derby. By the end of the match he was wiping blood from his eyes, but accepts that these battle wounds are part of playing in such high-intensity games. Plus, he was asked about the instantly-famous team photo taken in front of the Roker End. He just gets it, doesn't he?

TEAM PIC & KARMA

“I believe that in life everything comes back. We had some players that played this two or three years ago and the pain was still there. I think it has a little bit to do with respect. Of course, the away team, they win here. You need to give a handshake, but to do a picture in front of our fans in the stadium is not what we will do if we go away. This is a little bit of karma. We can do it because we are playing at home with our fans, with our supporters.”

WON FOR THE FANS

"Yeah, first of all, I think this win goes to our supporters. They were struggling many, many years before as well, from League One to the Championship to the Premier League, and I think it’s just a privilege to be part of this football club, to play in this derby, it means a lot. We felt it all week, the week was special, not normal as before, and just to give the fans something back from today, and we are very happy that we took the three points here and showed a great game, but the spirit was amazing.”

FIGHTING SPIRIT

“Yeah, to be honest, even for myself, even with the experience I had, and I played many, many derbies, the week was very special. It’s just special, you can’t describe it with words, but derbies are here to win, it doesn’t matter how, to give the fans something where they need it as well. I know many, many histories behind the club, two years ago, three years ago, they played here, they lost, and it’s painful, every derby you lose is painful, but this one was a little bit more special, because how close with each other they are. But proud, proud of this team, proud of the game we did, maybe not the most beautiful thing football-wise, but the character, the team spirit, the fight we brought today was just amazing.”

EYE INJURY

“I think the derbies are here for the fight, of course, with all the respect, with all the fair play, what we need to put for the opponent. For us, it’s nothing purposeful but the derby is a little bit special, and I think this derby was more than special.”

PRIVILEGE

"I believe many, many people would like to be there where we are as well, and that’s why I call it privilege. It’s not normal to play a derby and it’s not normal to be part of this football club. To be here is a big privilege, but the derby is with these emotions, and for us it was just clear from the first day of the week, we need to give something to the fans back, because they are supporting us here, away, they are travelling with us even when it’s not always easy, and this win goes for sure for the fans.”

DESERVED THREE POINTS

“I think first half was very, very good from our side, we had much more control, a little bit surprised that they were very passive. Second half we knew if we score the first we need to be very compact, and I don’t have in my mind any big chances from them today, so we were clearly a better team, we deserved the three points, and now we go home and we can be happy.”

FESTIVE VICTORY

"Yeah, how I said before, the support since I’m here is amazing, not only here at home but as well away, it’s nothing better than to celebrate Christmas with a Derby win, and just to say this one was for you guys.”