One Sunderland player has taken ‘responsibility’ for Chris Mepham’s red card in the defeat at Sheffield United on Friday night.
Sunderland fell to defeat against promotion rivals Sheffield United on Friday, losing 1-0 in what was an eventful game at Bramall Lane.
Both teams had a player sent off and Patrick Roberts missed a penalty for the Black Cats, all within the first 45 minutes of the game.
Tommy Watson was Sunderland’s Man of the Match on the night. But he couldn’t help Regis Le Bris’ side get on the scoresheet, whereas Tom Davies for Sheffield United could.
He scored the only goal of the game on the 83rd-minute mark, moving the Blades up into 1st place of the Championship table and leaving Sunderland in 4th.
Chris Mepham was sent off for Sunderland. It was a huge turning point in the game and Le Bris refused to comment on Mepham’s red card, which proved to be a controversial talking point on social media.
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Luke O’Nien takes ‘responsibility’ for Chris Mepham red card vs Sheffield United
Mepham was shown a straight red car after bringing down Blades striker Tyrese Campbell on the edge of the box.
It came after Luke O’Nien lost possession in the Sunderland half, allowing United to get the ball forward.
Campbell was judged to be in a clear goal-scoring position which meant referee Gavin Ward had to send Mepham off.
Speaking to the club after the game, O’Nien was very honest in accepting responsibility for Mepham’s sending off.
The 30-year-old said: “I put my hands up that I cost Meps, our best Player this Season, losing him for a game which is my responsibility.
“But hey, these mistakes will make me a better player and these losses will make the team a better team as well.”
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Sunderland nearing suspension boosts despite Chris Mepham blow
A straight red card for Mepham means that he’s now suspended for the next three games, which is a huge blow for Le Bris and Sunderland.
But for Mepham, a slight positive is that he was on four yellow cards going into the game at Bramall Lane; now returning after the 19-game mark in the Championship, his yellow card count will reset when he returns.
Sunderland have played 18 games in the Championship this season. They next play Stoke City at the Stadium of Light this weekend, then Bristol City in a midweek clash.
Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham are both on four yellow cards and need to get through the Stoke and Bristol City games to avoid a one-game suspension for five yellow cards in the Championship.