Exclusive: Eliezer Mayenda’s Sunderland goal vs Sheffield Wednesday wrongly allowed
Sunderland should not have had their opening goal allowed to stand in their win over Sheffield Wednesday, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that Eliezer Mayenda’s goal would have been ruled out for handball if VAR was in operation in the Championship.
Regis Le Bris’ side maintained their hopes of automatic promotion this season with a 2-1 victory against Sheffield Wednesday on Friday night (28 February).
However, there was more than an element of controversy about the first of those goals that put Sunderland in front.
Eliezer Mayenda handles as Black Cats go ahead
With Sunderland looking to bounce back after being denied a penalty in defeat to Hull last time out, it was Mayenda who scored twice to give his side a welcome win.
That has already led to the striker being hailed by teammate Wilson Isidor for that matchwinning contribution against the Owls.
| Championship Position | Played | Points |
| 1. Leeds United | 35 | 76 |
| 2. Sheffield United | 35 | 73 |
| 3. Burnley | 34 | 68 |
| 4. Sunderland | 35 | 65 |
The hosts though will have been left frustrated that his first goal was not ruled out, despite the ball clearly hitting Mayenda‘s arm as he it dropped out of the air and into his path.
Even so, it was allowed to stand by referee Will Finnie who seemingly did not spot the offence.
Now, Hackett believes that goal should have been allowed to stand for Sunderland, in what may have been a key turning point in the game.
Keith Hackett feels Sunderland goal should have been ruled out
Speaking to Football Insider about that opening goal for Le Bris’ side from Mayenda, the former referee said:
“I think he got away with it. I think the goal should have been disallowed. This is a difficult one for the referee because he’s actually looking down, straight at it. One of the problems here is that he’s kept a striahgt line towards the incident.
“I think the player’s helped it on, ultimately at the end of the day I don’t want VAR in the Championship, but I think had VAR been in operation, they would have reviewed this particular and almost certainly it would have been disallowed.”
Sunderland are next in action when they host Cardiff City at The Stadium of Light on Saturday (8 March), with Sheffield Wednesday due to travel to Home Park to face Plymouth Argyle the same day.