AliousSunderland suffered their first league loss of the Championship season on Saturday, falling 1-0 at home to Hull City due to an unfortunate own goal by goalkeeper Anthony Patterson. While few would argue Sunderland did enough to win, many believe they were denied a crucial penalty.
Despite the setback, Sunderland remains in a promising position under manager Regis Le Bris, sitting fourth in the Championship table with 12 games remaining.
However, there are growing concerns beyond just this defeat. Patterson’s recent performances have drawn criticism, and several key players, including Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg, struggled against Hull, showing signs of fatigue as the demanding season progresses.
As is often the case in the Championship, refereeing decisions became a major talking point.
Sunderland had two penalty claims for handball—one in each half—but it was the second incident that sparked the most frustration.
### Controversial Penalty Decision Leaves Sunderland Fans Fuming
With the game entering its final 10 minutes, tensions flared when the ball bounced up and struck the hand of Hull City captain Lewie Coyle inside the penalty area.
Sunderland players and supporters were convinced it was a clear-cut penalty, especially as Coyle’s hand appeared to be in an unnatural position.
Journalist Michael Graham weighed in on the controversy, stating that under current handball rules, Sunderland had a strong case for a penalty.
However, he also noted that Sunderland’s overall performance didn’t justify a victory, even if a draw would have been a valuable result.
What’s Next for Sunderland?
The Black Cats have a challenging run of fixtures ahead, starting with a Friday night trip to Sheffield Wednesday.
They then face Cardiff City on Saturday before a midweek clash with Preston North End.
After that, they travel to Coventry City before heading into the March international break, returning with a home fixture against Millwall.
Although Sunderland has several winnable games coming up, the defeat to Hull was also seen as an opportunity to collect points.
The team must quickly regain form, as relying on refereeing decisions won’t be enough to secure promotion.
Sitting in fourth place, they’ve earned their position, but they need to put this loss behind them and respond with a strong performance against Sheffield Wednesday.
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