Premier League release official statement on Sunderland vs Bournemouth controversy
The Premier League have released a statement clarifying the situation behind Lewis Cook’s sending off in Sunderland’s dramatic win over Bournemouth.
Sunderland beat Bournemouth 3-2 at the Stadium of Light on Saturday in a game they trailed 2-0 inside 15 minutes.
Amine Adli’s first Bournemouth goal and a quite sensational second from Tyler Adams left Sunderland with it all to do.
Enzo Le Fee got Sunderland back in the game from a penalty awarded for Alex Scott’s foul on Reinildo, before Bertrand Traore equalised seconds into the second half.
Brian Brobbey then scored a 69th-minute winner, but that was not the end of the drama as Cook was dismissed in added time.
Premier League clarify Lewis Cook sending off
Sunderland games had seen the fewest goals of any Premier League team this season heading into this weekend, but this match had pretty much everything.
Five goals, a comeback, a world-class strike and a sending off. Cook’s late dismissal came as a result of catching Noah Sadiki with his elbow.
The Premier League released a statement via its Match Centre account on X shortly after the game to confirm VAR stood by referee Tim Robinson’s decision.
“The referee’s call of red card to Cook for violent conduct was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that the action was a deliberate elbow to the face of Sadiki,” the statement read.
Cook could ultimately have no complaints with the decision, which came too late in the match to have any meaningful impact on the game anyway.
Robinson had angered Sunderland fans earlier in the season when waving away a strong penalty appeal against Everton.
Sunderland 3-2 Bournemouth match stats
Sunderland were stunned by Bournemouth but showed brilliant resolve to hit back and take all three points.
This is the first time the Black Cats have ever won a Premier League game that they trailed by two goals or more.
It means Sunderland are also still unbeaten at the Stadium of Light this season and are now back up to fourth place.
| Sunderland | Bournemouth | |
| 3 | Goals | 2 |
| 1.28 | xG | 1.86 |
| 12 | Shots | 18 |
| 6 | Shots on target | 6 |
| 42.8% | Possession | 57.2% |
Sunderland registered an expected goals (xG) value of 1.28, compared to 1.86 for their opponents. That suggests Regis Le Bris’ men did well to take all three points based on the quality of their chances.
Bournemouth also out-shot Sunderland 18-12, but both teams registered six shots on target apiece in what was a thrilling contest.
Le Bris’ men now have three days to recover before taking on Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday night.
Enjoyed this article? Stay connected with all the latest Sunderland news, updates, and behind-the-scenes content by following us on our new Instagram account –@mackemnews247