Habib Diarra’s controversial second-half penalty gave Sunderland a 1-0 win at Leeds after the house aspect weren’t awarded a first-half spot-kick, a call closely criticised by Daniel Farke and former gamers.
The Black Cat’s extremely contentious victory retains Leeds simply six factors above the drop zone, with most of their fellow relegation rivals having a recreation in hand.
Diarra’s Seventieth-minute penalty winner, which took Sunderland to 40 factors, was given after the VAR despatched referee Stuart Attwell to the pitchside monitor for a handball by Leeds captain Ethan Ampadu when blocking Wilson Isidor’s shot.
Ethan Ampadu concedes a penalty for handball in opposition to Sunderland
Attwell adjudged Ampadu to have “intentionally dealt with”, however his determination was labelled “very harsh” by ex-Tottenham captain Michael Dawson on Soccer Particular, including, “I do not know what he’s alleged to do along with his arm.”
Leeds’ fury with the choice was compounded after VAR had earlier opted to not intervene when Leeds defender Pascal Struijk was wrestled to the ground by Sunderland’s Luke O’Nien at a nook within the opening phases of the sport.
Leeds boss Farke instructed TNT Sports activities: “It’s not even a query. What was VAR doing on this scene? It might probably’t be a clearer penalty. It’s powerful to know how this isn’t checked and never re-watched.
“I’m fairly positive that Stuart [Attwell], who’s such a high quality ref, so skilled and so calm, if he had the possibility to look at this again, he would have stated, ‘All day lengthy it is a penalty’.”
In the meantime, Dawson stated: “I believe Leeds ought to have had a penalty. Struijk had arms round his neck – I am unable to imagine VAR did not become involved.”
Jayden Bogle and Ethan Ampadu remonstrate with referee Stuart Attwell
Former Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford was left baffled too by the choice.
He instructed TNT Sports activities: “I am so bemused as to how the referee and VAR officers haven’t given a penalty. It is clear as day. Arms across the neck, he drags him right down to the bottom. How’s that not a penalty? It is completely embarrassing.”
Sky Sports activities Information understands the incident involving Struijk and O’Nien was checked out by VAR, nevertheless it was deemed {that a} clear and apparent error had not taken place.
VAR additionally denied Leeds a second-half opener as Joe Rodon’s Sixty fourth-minute header from Anton Stach’s free-kick was disallowed for offside.
Diarra’s successful penalty was Sunderland’s solely shot on course at Elland Highway as they ended a nine-game winless away league run to maneuver as much as eleventh.
However a irritating night for Leeds, which noticed Jaka Bijol miss two late probabilities, means the Whites stay fifteenth and searching over their shoulders.
Opta stats: Sunderland win with second-lowest passing tally in PL this season
- Sunderland accomplished 143 passes on this recreation, the second-lowest tally by a successful crew within the Premier League this season after Brentford v Aston Villa in August (128).
- That is simply the fifth recreation within the Premier League this season to see a crew win by way of only one shot on course, with Sunderland accounting for 2 of these (additionally v Newcastle United in December).
- Leeds have suffered back-to-back Premier League dwelling defeats (additionally dropping 1-0 to Manchester Metropolis) for the primary time since April 2023, after they misplaced 5-1 to Crystal Palace and 6-1 to Liverpool.
- Throughout each Premier League and Championship, Leeds suffered their first defeat of their final 23 dwelling night (7pm or later) video games (W20 D2).
- Of the 21 groups to concede 60+ penalties within the Premier League, Leeds have conceded the very best proportion of spot-kick targets, with their opponents changing 85% of them (67/79).
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