It’s not often that two penalties are missed in a single game, let alone by the same player. But that was the talking point in Sunderland’s 0-0 draw against Burnley on Friday night. Wilson Isidor was the unlucky man.
Wilson Isidor instantly became a fan favourite at Sunderland following his loan arrival from Zenit in the summer. Not only is he the club’s leading scorer with eight in the Championship, he’s a very likeable character too.
But Sunderland’s 0-0 draw against Burnley on Friday night saw Isidor leave the pitch in tears. The Frenchman stepped up to the penalty spot twice, and missed twice, with Clarets goalkeeper James Trafford clearly playing mind games with the Sunderland forward.
Both sets of players consoled Isidor after the game. But the 24-year-old won’t be forgetting those two misses anytime soon, as a win for Sunderland on the night would’ve pulled them level on points with league leaders Leeds United.
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Gary Bennett says Wilson Isidor was being greedy with Burnley penalties
Speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle after the game, BBC pundit Gary Bennett spoke at length about Isidor and the whole penalty saga. And the former Sunderland striker thinks that Isidor put himself before the team by stepping up to take the second.
Bennett said: “For me, Wilson Isidor looks at that penalty decision [and says], ‘It’s about me. I’m going to score. I’m going to be the one who gets the winning goal.’ It’s not about him, it’s about the team itself. It’s about winning the game. It’s not about me me me.”
Interestingly, Bennett also pointed out that Jobe Bellingham wanted to step up and take the second penalty, before Isidor eventually put the ball down.
Bennett also said: “If I was on the pitch, if I was a captain, if I’m manager or whatever, give it to somebody else… Jobe Bellingham had hold of the ball. He was confident.”
Watch Bennett’s full five-minute reaction to the Isidor penalty saga below…
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Wilson Isidor criticism is unjust, he’s been a shining light for Sunderland
Inevitably there were plenty of angry Sunderland supporters on social media aiming criticism towards Isidor after those two penalty misses. Many share the same view as Bennett, saying that Isidor should never have stepped up to take the second.
But it’s easy to forget what Isidor has done for the club so far this season. He’s given fans some great memories with his superbly-taken goals, which have all been important ones in putting the Black Cats in the league position they’re in.
And Isidor will no doubt score some more important goals in the run-in. He’ll want to bounce back from those penalty misses with a goal soon, and his next chance will be away against Derby County on Tuesday night.