Sunderland-mad MOTD pundit reacts to footage of major controversy vs Brentford
Sunderland continued their bright start on their return to the Premier League with a 2-1 win over Brentford on Saturday.
The newly-promoted side produced a brilliant response to their defeat at Burnley last weekend, bouncing back immediately to return to winning ways.
Wilson Isidor netted a late winner for Sunderland, who had been trailing until the 82nd minute, when Enzo Le Fee equalised from the penalty spot.
Regis Le Bris will be delighted with the fightback that he saw from his players, but it was a game that could easily have had a very different outcome.
Steph Houghton backs Anthony Taylor’s penalty decisions
Sunderland fought hard to beat Brentford, but it was not a game short of controversial moments by any means.
Both sides had penalty shouts waved away during the 90 minutes, while both were also awarded a spot kick.
The inconsistency of refereeing decisions came under scrutiny once again, with Anthony Taylor awarding both penalties as a result of holding in the box from a corner, despite waving away appeals for a similar offence earlier in the game.
Brentford were left to rue their missed opportunity, as Kevin Schade saw his 59th-minute kick saved by Robien Roefs, while Le Fee later made no mistake to haul his side back into the game.
- Sunderland turned the fine margins in their favour against Brentford
- Both sides created two big chances, and generated an xG of between 1.2 and 1.6
- Sunderland’s win was their first against Brentford since 1988
Sunderland-supporting pundit Steph Houghton spoke about the decisions on Saturday’s edition of Match of the Day, and was quick to back Taylor’s calls on the two incidents that were adjudged to be fouls.
“For me, I think with Reinildo against (Nathan) Collins (in reference to Brentford’s penalty), he’s obviously not looking at the ball and he’s got two hands on him,” the former England women’s international said.
“You can’t really argue with that because there’s no intention to try and clear the ball.
“It was similar for Sunderland’s penalty. The defender put his arms around the attacker, and it makes it easier for the referee when you have that action.
“With the way the game is going at this moment in time, they are two penalties.”
Sunderland show survival credentials vs Brentford
Le Bris’ Sunderland side had impressive performances all over the pitch in their victory against Brentford, in what could already prove to be a crucial result in their battle against the drop.
Their visitors from Saturday are shaping up to be a potential relegation rival, so to win a ‘six-pointer’ in the early stages of the campaign is a marker laid down by the Black Cats.
The Wearsiders have shown that they are capable of competing in the Premier League, and if they can continue to respond to setbacks like the Burnley defeat in a similar manner, then there is every reason to believe that they could survive.
With the first international break now upon them, Le Bris and Co. will undoubtedly be pleased with the start that they have made.
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