Darren Bent reacts to Sunderland handball controversy v Hull City
Darren Bent believes Sunderland got away with one when Chris Mepham seemingly handled the ball in the 1-0 win against Hull City on 20 October.
Speaking on Sky Sports‘ live coverage of the win at the MKM Stadium, Bent reluctantly agreed that Mepham should have been penalised for handling a ball that appeared set to find its way through to a Hull forward.
The referee seemingly missed the incident and blew for half-time, leading to jeers around the ground.
Bent said: “Being a former Sunderland player, I want to say no but in this example, it’s a handball.
“100 per cent. Even if it’s accidental or not, he’s clearly denying a goal-scoring opportunity. For me, it’s a handball.”
Sunderland fortunate to avoid red card for Chris Mepham
Ultimately, it was a handball and one that may have been deemed deliberate had it been seen by officials.
Mepham appears to stick an arm out towards the ball and affects its path, allowing the ball to bounce through to Anthony Patterson.
Hull were outraged at the decision and rightfully so, it could have been a game-changing moment and Tim Walter was seen to be frustrated.
If the incident was seen, Mepham would have likely seen red for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity and a potential ban for the Welsh international could have spelt trouble with an injury to Dan Ballard.
Mepham has been a standout performer for the club ever since making his debut in the absence of Ballard who again missed the game against Hull and especially in the first half, earned his plaudits for several key interventions preventing the hosts from taking the lead.
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