An image that has emerged on social media could well show that Sunderland should have been awarded a penalty in their latest outing.
The Black Cats felt that Jack Clarke was brought down in the area by Ryan Hedges in the build-up to the first goal of the night but as referee Craig Pawson waved play on Blackburn went up the other end and scored a stunner through Ben Brereton Diaz.
Scott Wharton added a second with a header as Sunderland ultimately fell to a 2-0 defeat on Tuesday night but things could well have been very different had they been awarded a spot-kick.
Speaking after the game Tony Mowbray said “what do you do?” when discussing the incident and instead admitted that the game was a bit of “deja vu” for his team as they dominated possession but were again without that “key component” needed to win football matches – a striker.
However, an image uploaded on Twitter now appears to have captured the moment of impact between Hedges and Clarke which justifies the Mackems complaints and could well have given them the goal they craved.
TIF Thoughts on Sunderland’s call…
Journalist James Copley certainly felt aggrieved by the decision insisting that the officials on the night ‘cost’ Mowbray’s side.
While a replay of the incident (0:52) may show a slight toe to the ball from Hedges the above image is certainly telling.
Nevertheless, without VAR the show must go on with Sunderland firmly in mid-table now having to contend with another difficult fixture as they welcome Burnley to the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon.