AliousGallagher and Postecoglou voice frustration after controversial free-kick hands Sunderland narrow win at Nottingham Forest**
Sunderland’s 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground was overshadowed by a disputed refereeing call, with former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher insisting the Black Cats were fortunate to be awarded the decisive free kick.
Omar Alderete struck the only goal of the game after converting from a Granit Xhaka delivery, following referee Robert Jones’ decision to penalise and book Nicolas Dominguez for a challenge on Trai Hume. Gallagher, speaking on *Sky Sports News* programme *Ref Watch*, argued that the incident should never have been punished.
“I actually think both players just went for the ball,” Gallagher said. “For me, you leave it alone. No foul, no booking. The problem is, it escalates because Sunderland then score from the free kick.”
Former QPR striker Jay Bothroyd echoed Gallagher’s view, calling the decision “soft” and claiming neither set of players even understood why the foul had been given.
“I don’t think it should have been a free kick,” Bothroyd added. “They’re both just going for the ball, there’s barely any contact. The players were looking around confused. Decisions like that make people say the game’s gone—it’s a contact sport, and you don’t want to see those fouls given.”
Forest manager Ange Postecoglou also weighed in, admitting Alderete’s strike “shouldn’t have stood” but refusing to heap blame on the referee. The Australian felt his side should have defended the free kick better, though he maintained that Dominguez should not have been penalised.
“It’s a disappointing goal to concede, particularly in a match where we were in control,” Postecoglou said. “We didn’t defend Xhaka’s delivery properly, but the decision itself was harsh. Even so, we created enough chances to win, and our finishing let us down.”
Postecoglou also highlighted other questionable officiating moments, including unpunished holding inside the penalty area, but ultimately pinned the loss on Forest’s own lack of clinical edge.
“It’s frustrating because this is another game that slipped away from us, one we should have been winning comfortably,” he added.
The result leaves Sunderland celebrating a hard-fought three points, while Forest are left ruing refereeing calls, missed chances, and another opportunity squandered.
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