Credit: Imago

James Barker

Sun 12 April 2026 16:04, UK

Jamie Carragher thinks Luke O’Nien was “stupid” for his role in Sunderland almost conceding a penalty against Tottenham.

The 31-year-old started his second successive game against Tottenham on Sunday afternoon, after returning to the lineup for the Tyne-Wear derby clash with Newcastle last time out.

He was again asked to operate in central defence for the visit of Spurs, and whilst he did put in a stronger performance than his Newcastle display, it also wasn’t one of his best in a Black Cats shirt by any means.

Regardless, Regis Le Bris’ boys were able to get a big three points against the Lilywhites, which keeps their hopes of making a late push for a European place alive going into the final six games of the season.

However, had O’Nien not have been so lucky in one key flashpoint of the match, then those dreams of continental football could’ve been all but vanquished at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.

• Read more: Luke O’Nien: What could Sunderland future hold for him?

What Jamie Carragher said about Luke O’Nien penalty incident

In what was a back and forth start to the game, Sunderland and Tottenham both enjoyed early chances to take the lead.

Then, with 21 minutes on the clock, referee Robert Jones pointed to the penalty spot, awarding Roberto De Zerbi’s side with the chance to open the scoring from 12 yards.

Omar Alderete was tussling with Randal Kolo Muani as they battled for a loose ball inside the box, before the Spurs striker went to ground as O’Nien came sliding in from the side.

But, as VAR looked at the decision, Jones eventually reversed his original decision of a penalty against Sunderland, and the replays showed that the right call was eventually reached.

However, whilst Carragher acknowledged that when discussing the incident on Sky Sports punditry duty, the former Liverpool defender didn’t give O’Nien a pass for his decision to also go to ground.

“If I was the Sunderland manager, I’d be saying to Luke O’Nein, ‘what are you doing?’,” Carragher said.

“It is a stupid challenge, flying in, it has got nothing to do with you, just stay out of it.

“I am not saying he is lucky to get away with it because it wasn’t a penalty, but it is an absolutely daft challenge to make.”

• Read more: Sunderland: Alan Shearer right to label Luke O’Nien ‘stupid’, but squad depth the bigger issue

O’Nien would’ve conceded penalty had Kolo Muani not dived

Carragher is pretty spot on with his assessment of O’Nien’s decision to come sliding in on Kolo Muani, as the Tottenham striker didn’t need to throw himself to the ground.

Indeed, the replay shows that O’Nien makes clear contact with Kolo Muani when he’s absolutely nowhere near the ball, and that was going to happen whether or not the Spurs man decided to flop when he knew he wasn’t getting the ball.

Had he stayed on his feet, the way O’Nien came sliding in would’ve seen him crash into Muani, and from there, he would’ve had every right/no choice but to go down and would’ve undoubtedly seen a penalty awarded.

So, O’Nien should count himself extremely lucky here, and whilst his decision to slide in was fuelled by the passion he has for wearing the red and white shirt, it’s something he absolutely had no reason to do, and was lucky to get away with it.

For even more Sunderland news and opinions, head over to Football Insider.