Sunderland’s 1-0 win over Millwall on Saturday was not without controversy after the Stadium of Light saw some late penalty-kick drama.
Sunderland beat Millwall 1-0 on Saturday as Regis Le Bris’ side began their Championship run-in with three points.
Man-of-the-match Trai Hume scored an exquisite volley in the first-half, latching onto a lofted cross from ‘outstanding’ Patrick Roberts, to see the Black Cats go into half-time one goal to the good.
Alex Neil’s Millwall failed to threaten the Sunderland goal throughout the second half with the 1-0 scoreline looming.
However with minutes to go, Sunderland winger Romaine Mundle was brought down in the penalty area by Lions defender Japhet Tanganga, for which referee Robert Madley awarded a spot-kick.
Mundle felt obliged to take the penalty he earned and was visibly upset after not being afforded the chance to double Sunderland’s lead.
Centre-back Luke O’Nien surprisingly stepped up to take the spot-kick but his feeble effort was saved by Lions goalkeeper Lukas Jensen.
Sunderland’s corner of social media was host to some mixed reviews on Mundle’s reaction, with some supporters labeling it “justified” and others stating it was “unprofessional”.
Sunderland fans to react to Romain Mundle penalty reaction vs Millwall
Despite the youthful exuberance of this Sunderland side, it was the first showing of some “immaturity” so far this season under Le Bris.
When asked for thoughts on Mundle’s reaction, one Sunderland fan posted on X: “Love the lad but I didn’t like it. Unprofessional.” Another Sunderland fan added: “A bit childish and immature in the way he acted.”
Another Sunderland supporter believed: “Thought it was bad. We were unhappy with (James) Trafford delaying the penalties being taken, getting into the takers head. In a way that is exactly what Mundle did, be interesting how it was thought of in the dressing room.”
In contrast, other Sunderland fans felt Mundle’s reaction was a justified response, with one fan stating that it was “well justified”. Another added that: “I have no problem with it.”
In support of Mundle, another fan added: “Love the fact he’s annoyed. Why shouldn’t he be. He’s a forward who wants to take a pen. Hopefully it fires him up even more.”
Regis Le Bris must decide Sunderland’s future penalty taker
Sunderland boss Le Bris admitted after the game – via the Sunderland Echo – that Mundle was “emotional” during that moment, but that O’Nien’s role as penalty taker was “decided before the game”.
The Black Cats have suffered a torrid record from the penalty spot so far this term, with four out of five missed across three different penalty takers.
Roberts began the season on penalty duty but passed the torch to WIlson Isidor following the winger’s spot-kick miss against Sheffield United.
Isidor was then blasted after the forward missed two injury-time penalties against Burnley, which he was visibly emotional as Isidor apologised to the Sunderland supporters that night.
O’Nien – who has a 100% penalty conversion rate in cup shoot-outs for Sunderland – then took over from Isidor on Saturday against Millwall but never looked like scoring.
| Sunderland player | Penalty record so far this season |
| Patrick Roberts | 1 scored out of 2 taken |
| Wilson Isidor | 0 scored out of 2 taken |
| Luke O’Nien | 0 scored out of 1 taken |
Sunderland’s season looks destined to be defined within the play-offs. With the potential of a penalty shoot-out on the cards in the most decisive affair of Sunderland’s season, some extra training sessions from 12-yards are in order.
Le Bris must act swiftly to decide the Black Cats’ designated penalty taker ahead of Saturday’s dinner-time visit to Tony Mowbray’s West Brom.