Credit: Imago

Mackem News Speaking to Ian Darke

Wed 2 April 2025 7:00, UK

Sunderland dodged a bullet against Millwall over the weekend as they secured a 1-0 Championship win despite missing a penalty.

Modern-day Wearside legend Luke O’Nien took it upon himself to take the kick from 12 yards, only to be denied by Lukas Jensen at the Stadium of Light.

It now makes it just one penalty scored out of five in the Championship for Sunderland this season, with Patrick Roberts finding the net against Plymouth Argyle (14 September) and the last four missed by Roberts himself, Wilson Isidor twice against Burnley and now O’Nien.

Sunderland have ‘astonishing’ issue facing them as play-offs loom

Sunderland have seven league fixtures remaining but are almost certain of a place in the play-offs come May – no more, no less. Momentum has become the key ambition in the run-in.

Should the Black Cats face a penalty shootout in either the semi-finals or final at Wembley this season, supporters will certainly hold valid reservations over who is capable under pressure of delivering.

With just 20 per cent of penalties scored by Regis Le Bris’ side this season, the head coach appeared coy on who the penalty taker is at Sunderland, with Romaine Mundle less than impressed after being refused the opportunity to take the spot-kick against Millwall himself.

TV commentator Ian Darke has called the confusion over Sunderland’s penalty taker “astonishing” and insisted the problem must be resolved in case of any shootout drama which is forced upon them during the play-off campaign.

“They missed the penalty, then nearly gave away an equaliser in the last minute. They at least still won the game and they’ll finish in the play-offs. However, you do have to say it’s a concern for not only Wembley, but a play-off semi-final,” Darke exclusively told Mackem News.

“O’Nien hasn’t often been the regular penalty taker – he has a good record for Sunderland, but it was a poor penalty. They could have to rely on at least five of their players in a semi-final or final, so it’s an issue.

“What I’ve always wondered is that clubs have 100-page dossiers on the opposition, yet get awarded a penalty and don’t know who’s going to take it. You’ve got rows going on in front of fans between players – that happens at quite a few clubs – so it’s astonishing really.”

Le Bris must get a hold of penalty taker issue

It’s a massive point. Le Bris has to establish a penalty hierarchy and fast, before it costs Sunderland when they must avoid it most.

Isidor needs to, sooner rather than later, be granted another chance to make amends – a goal from the spot would do wonders for him at the right time.

Roberts has been inconsistent from the spot but would certainly be on Sunderland’s shootout list if he is on the pitch at the time; O’Nien likely would be too, given his senior responsibilities and previous success in shootouts, including at Wembley for the Wearsiders.

Mundle, Dan Neil, Eliezer Mayenda, Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg could also be viable candidates, but an order must be established.