Credit: Imago

Keith Hackett

Sat 10 May 2025 15:26, UK

Sunderland’s opening goal on Friday night caused plenty of controversy among the Coventry City supporters.

Courtesy of a 2-1 win away to Coventry, Sunderland now have one foot in the playoff final at Wembley, though there is still plenty of work to be done.

Goals from Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda ensured that the Black Cats start Tuesday’s game at the Stadium of Light with an advantage, despite being pegged back by Jack Rudoni.

However, an incident in the build-up to Isidor’s goal at the CBS Arena sparked controversy after the game, with Keith Hackett sharing his view.

Coventry fans question offside call for Isidor goal

Isidor finally ended his goal drought for Sunderland on Friday night, though a whole host of Coventry fans believe that it shouldn’t have stood.

The Black Cats broke on the counterattack, with Enzo Le Fee threading a through ball into the path of Isidor, who made no mistake inside the box, and Hackett loves that the linesman kept his flag down.

Speaking to Mackem News, the former PGMOL official said: “In reviewing the clip, I would suggest the scorer is onside when the ball is passed to him, so it’s an excellent decision by the Assistant referee who is in a very good position.

“The cost of semi-automated offside technology installation with thirty cameras in each stadium is extremely expensive and prohibitive to Football League clubs.

“I still think that it is still requiring development, and until we can guarantee a level of accuracy, we should do without it.”

Isidor goal will do wonders for Sunderland

Sunderland‘s biggest concern heading into the playoffs was their lack of attacking threat, having scored just once in their five encounters leading up to the game.

However, with Isidor and Mayenda back on the score sheet, those concerns have diminished, and optimism levels will be much higher on Wearside as a result.

The job is far from done yet, but the Black Cats have succeeded in their first of two huge challenges.