Exclusive: Ex-PGMOL chief reacts to Cardiff goal controversy v Sunderland
Cardiff City scored a controversial goal in their 2-1 defeat to Sunderland on Saturday.
Eliezer Mayenda led the line for the Black Cats yet again, carrying on his impressive form since bagging twice against Sheffield Wednesday with another goal to aid Sunderland on their way to a 2-1 victory.
However, the euphoria of scoring his seventh goal of the season wouldn’t last long, with Cardiff City hitting back before the half-time interval after Isaak Davies dispatched into an empty net.
With that said, the way that opportunity came about was certainly controversial, with Keith Hackett sharing his views on the incident.
Cardiff fortunate after Anthony Patterson incident
Anthony Patterson has been under heavy scrutiny for several weeks now, and that attention will continue based on what happened for Cardiff’s equalising goal.
After a cross was delivered into the box, Patterson challenged for the ball mid-air before falling to the ground, allowing Davies to get the easiest goal he is likely to get this season.
Claims for a foul were fallen on deaf ears, though Hackett believes the shouts were valid when speaking exclusively to Mackem News.
| Sunderland v Cardiff | Goals | Shots | xG | Possession |
| Sunderland | 2 | 17 | 2.44 | 58% |
| Cardiff | 1 | 6 | 0.51 | 42% |
Hackett explained: “The goalkeeper has clearly been impeded,” meaning that the challenge should have resulted in a free kick for Sunderland and no goal for the Welsh outfit.
The goal clearly knocked the wind out of the Mackems’ sails, with the visitors growing in confidence from there on, but failed to take advantage.
Sunderland must improve home performances
Performances have certainly been hit and miss for Sunderland as of late, and the clash against Cardiff was no different, despite the win.
Sunderland were certainly deserving of the win, but they are capable of far more than they showcased against the Welsh side.
The Black Cats struggled to create much outside of the opening goal while looking suspect on the counter, and Cardiff will likely look back at some of the chances they had to take the lead.
Promotion remains the aim for Sunderland, though displays will need to improve significantly if they are to enter the playoffs with any real momentum.
As it stands, the Wearsiders still have a healthy advantage on those below them, but as always with the Championship, that can change in an instant and unless those improvements come soon, concerns may start to emerge at the Stadium of Light.