Keith Hackett agrees with Anthony Taylor after Sunderland controversy vs Port Vale in FA Cup
Keith Hackett says it was the right call not to send off Melker Ellborg during Sunderland’s shock FA Cup loss to Port Vale.
Sunderland exited the competition at the fifth round stage after a disappointing 1-0 defeat to League One basement side Port Vale on Sunday.
Regis Le Bris‘ team were second best for long periods, and their sloppiness was punished just before the half-hour mark through Ben Waine’s header.
The Stadium of Light outfit hit the post twice through Eliezer Mayenda and Nilson Angulo in either half but it wasn’t to be for the Premier League team.
With first-choice keeper Robin Roefs out injured, a suspension for Ellborg was the last thing Sunderland needed. Fortunately for the Black Cats, he escaped with a yellow card.
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Anthony Taylor commended over Sunderland red card claim
In the second half of the contest, Connor Hall was racing up field and his pace took him away from the onrushing Ellborg.
The keeper lunged for the ball but took out the Port Vale substitute, prompting the home fans and players to scream for a red card.
However, referee Anthony Taylor merely booked the Sunderland stopper and now former PGMOL chief Hackett has explained why that was the correct call.
He exclusively told Mackem News: “Referee Anthony Taylor has made the correct decision in yellow-carding the goalkeeper for the foul.
“The criteria for the denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity have not been fulfilled. The ball is travelling away from the goal, and there is a potential covering defender. Referee Taylor made the correct call.”
Ultimately, that meant little in the grand scheme of the game as Port Vale deservedly progressed to the quarter-finals of the competition, while Sunderland will now entirely focus on the Premier League this season.
Sunderland miss out on big FA Cup opportunity
After beating Premier League side Everton on penalties at Hill Dickinson Stadium in round three of the FA Cup, followed by a hard-fought win away to Championship club Oxford United in round four, this Port Vale tie seemed like a great opportunity for Sunderland.
The Black Cats are virtually assured of staying in the Premier League for another season, with Le Bris’ team hitting the 40-point mark with their 1-0 win at Leeds United on Tuesday.
Port Vale are on course to get relegated to League Two and even though they beat Bristol City on Tuesday, this was a big chance for Sunderland to reach the last eight of the competition.
| Sunderland’s FA Cup run in 2025/26 | Round |
| Everton 0-0 Sunderland (0-3 on penalties) | Third Round |
| Oxford United 0-1 Sunderland | Fourth Round |
| Port Vale 1-0 Sunderland | Fifth Round |
But right from the off, they looked uncomfortable on this muddy, bobbly pitch – a far cry from what they are used to in the Premier League.
Barring a remarkable collapse and a change of fortunes for teams in and around the relegation zone, Sunderland will not go down and could have focused on a big cup run.
Instead, they rang the changes and looked disjointed. This was a poor display and one that Sunderland fans will want to forget quickly. Their dream of lifting this cup once again will have to wait another year.
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