Credit: Imago

Edward Bazeley

Sat 1 March 2025 9:45, UK

Sunderland forward Eliezer Mayenda has spoken out following a controversial moment during the Mackems’ 2-1 victory at Sheffield Wednesday on Friday.

Following their victory at Hillsborough, Regis Le Bris’ side moved to within five points of the automatic promotion spots ahead of second-place Sheffield United’s visit to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday (1 March).

The Black Cats are now just three points behind Burnley in the Championship, with the Clarets not in league action this weekend due to their all-Lancashire FA Cup fifth-round clash with Preston North End.

Sunderland were left disappointed when they lost 1-0 to Hull City last Saturday, a poor result which followed their 2-1 defeat against promotion rivals and now title favourites Leeds United.

But their victory over Wednesday on Friday has re-sparked the North East giant’s outside hopes of winning automatic promotion to the Premier League.

Sunderland mired in controversy v Sheffield Wednesday

Mayenda was the star of the show for the Mackems, as his brace spearheaded Le Bris’ men towards their vital 2-1 win in South Yorkshire.

The Spaniard opened the scoring on 34 minutes, which established a 1-0 half-time lead for the travelling Black Cats, but Wednesday’s Callum Paterson bagged the equaliser early on in the second half.

Mayenda went on to seal three points on the road for the Mackems in the 71st minute, when he headed Trai Hume’s cross beyond the reach of Owls goalkeeper James Beadle.

However, the main talking point was the controversial nature of the striker’s first goal, as replays clearly showed that he handled the ball before scoring.

When asked if it was handball, Mayenda told Sky Sports: “I don’t know.

“It’s not a great goal, but a goal is a goal.”

The Mackems’ next game provides them with another key opportunity to pick up all three points, as they host relegation battlers Cardiff City at the Stadium of Light on Saturday 8th March.

Mayenda delivered when he needed to for Sunderland

Sunderland supporters may have been concerned when they saw that Mayenda was leading the line, instead of Wilson Isidor, who has been a talisman for their club this campaign, scoring 12 goals in the Championship.

But Mayenda stepped up to the task, and bagged the brace which sent Le Bris’ men on to a victory which has revitalised their outside chances of automatic promotion.

Four of the Spaniard’s six goals in the Championship this term have now arrived against Wednesday, while Mackems supporters will not care one bit that he handled the ball in the build-up to his first goal, as ultimately their side won the game.