Jay Bothroyd makes Sunderland howler on Sky Sports, Dermot Gallagher to the rescue
There was a lot of controversy surrounding VAR this weekend, most noticeably the free-kick given against Nottingham Forest that Sunderland took advantage of.
Regis Le Bris‘ side picked up their third win of the Premier League season, with Omar Alderete’s goal at the City Ground the difference between the two sides.
Sunderland beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 in what was Ange Postecoglou’s first home game in charge of the hosts.
Referee Tony Harrington made headlines during the game after a controversial decision that led to the goal.
Controversial decision gifts Sunderland victory vs Nottingham Forest
Alderete’s header came from a free-kick decision that has gained a lot of traction online for its controversy.
Nicolas Dominguez and Trai Hume both went for the ball, with neither making contact, with the referee awarding a free-kick for simulation against the former.
Speaking on Sky Sports Ref Watch on Monday, Jay Bothroyd said: “I don’t think the players knew what it was for. I don’t think it should even be a free-kick. It should have been play on.
“They’re both trying to get the ball. There’s no real contact. The players on the field are looking around to say: ‘Who is the free-kick for?’ “That’s a poor decision. It’s one of those soft decisions and I don’t want to see that in football.“
However, Bothroyd clearly did not realise the free-kick was awarded for simulation, and what he says actually backs the referee’s decision to award a set-piece – there was no contact yet Dominguez went down.
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher rightly pointed this out, albeit he did say he also wouldn’t have awarded a free-kick.
“I wouldn’t side with either. Just leave it alone and I think it goes away, and then of course it ramps up because they then score from the free-kick,” he said.
Read More: Three Sunderland players who have picked themselves at Man United after win vs Nottingham Forest
Sunderland take advantage to beat Nottingham Forest
Sunderland currently sit fifth in the Premier League after just six games, with a total of 11 points, almost equalling Southampton’s tally for last season.
Losing only once this season to fellow promoted Burnley FC, Le Bris’s side have caught fans and pundits off guard after many tipped the Mackems to go down.
Statement signing Granit Xhaka has been at the heart of this Sunderland side, picking up three assists in the league. Xhaka has transformed this Sunderland team with his leadership.
Twenty-two-year-old goalkeeper Robin Roefs has also been at the front of Sunderland headlines after his impressive run of performances, keeping three clean sheets.
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