Sunderland lost 4-2 away at Southampton in the Championship on Saturday.
Sunderland have now lost their last six in the Championship after a 4-2 defeat away at Southampton on Saturday afternoon; the first time Sunderland have lost six games in a row since 2006.
The Black Cats were two goals behind at the break owing to some poor defending for the first, capitalised on by Stuart Armstrong, and then a rash Chris Rigg foul on Ryan Manning to give away a penalty for the second.
Adam Armstrong stepped up and scored in the 37th minute, though it proved to be a controversial spot kick.
Adam Armstrong slips on Southampton penalty v Sunderland
Armstrong scored his 19th Championship goal of the season on Saturday afternoon, though many of the Sunderland players believe the penalty should’ve been retaken.
The 27-year-old slipped as he shot towards Anthony Patterson, and it appeared as though Armstrong may have kicked the ball with his standing foot before it hit his shooting foot.
Sunderland players protested the goal as former Newcastle United striker Armstrong celebrated in front of the away end, leaving many Black Cats players furious.
Northern Echo reporter Dominic Shaw tweeted:
Romaine Mundle saw his shot deflected into the Sunderland goal after the break, and then the Black Cats were unexpectedly back on level terms owing to a Jobe Bellingham screamer.
But Southampton put their foot back on the gas, finding two quick-fire goals through Joe Rothwell to earn a 4-2 win in the end.
Another call for better officiating in the Football League
Every week now, it seems, there’s calls for VAR in the English Football League, or at least better officiating.
Referee Stuart Attwell would’ve have a clear sight of the spot kick though it would’ve been very difficult to decipher whether or not Armstrong kicked the ball twice, though looking at replays, it certainly seemed like the Sunderland players had a case.
Without doubt, though, VAR would’ve been able to provide a clear answer on the matter, and it was retaken and missed then it could’ve been a very different scoreline.
After that goal it seemed like game over for Sunderland who were kept at bay up until the hour mark when Mundle pulled one back.
Though if it wasn’t for a fortunate deflection and then a moment of magic from Bellingham, it would’ve been another very poor performance overall.
The game highlighted what appears to be poor recruitment from the Sunderland owners over the past year or so; Sunderland very little in attack and could barely keep the ball, compared to a Southampton side who looked confident and well-drilled, at least in the opening hour.
Up next for Sunderland is a return to the Stadium of Light where they welcome QPR next weekend.