Sunderland robbed in draw vs Everton after footage I’ve seen – Keith Hackett
Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett believes that Everton’s opening goal should have been disallowed.
It was a dreadful start for Sunderland, who fought back well to earn a point against Everton on Monday night.
Iliman Ndiaye gave the victors the lead, just seconds after Noah Sadiki went down under a challenge from Thierno Barry.
Referee Tom Bramall waved the foul away, but Hackett believes that VAR should have intervened.
Noah Sadiki fouled for Everton opener
Sunderland deserved to be a goal down when they were, but the nature of the goal has left Hackett to question the involvement of VAR.
Sadiki, after initially winning the ball back, appeared to be fouled by Barry, but neither Bramall nor VAR Michael Salisbury thought that was the case.
When speaking exclusively to Mackem News, Hackett disagreed.
He said: “Sunderland have the right to be aggrieved that the goal scored by Everton was allowed to stand.
“There is evidence that the Sunderland player, having lost the ball, was unfairly impeded and physical contact resulted in him ending up on the ground.
“I would have anticipated that after the goal is scored that the referee would have been asked to visit the pitchside monitor to review the incident.
“To allow the goal to stand was, in my opinion, a clear and obvious error, and referee Bramall was let down by VAR Michael Salisbury.”
Tom Bramall had a nightmare at the Stadium of Light
The incident involving Sadiki, who has been superb this season, was just one of several contentious decisions, especially in the first half.
On many occasions, the Black Cats seemed to have a player fouled, only for Bramall to wave play on, much to the annoyance of not only the players but also the crowd.
Sadiki and Mukiele both saw yellow cards as a result of their frustration getting the best of them in a game that threatened to boil over several times.
As things quietened down, Sunderland got their foot in the game, and a penalty shout late in the second half also went against them.
It was one of them nights for the Black Cats, who were more than worthy of their point.
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