MOTD pundit's U-turn is embarrassing, he's got Man City vs Sunderland controversy all wrong

Rob Jones and VAR have allowed a controversial incident to overshadow an eight-goal thriller between Manchester City and Sunderland.

Brian Brobbey was massively unfortunate to end up on the wrong side of a 5-3 result after netting a hat-trick at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, 20 September.

Enzo Fernandez, Rayan Cherki, Antoine Semenyo (twice), and finally Erling Haaland were all on the scoresheet for the Citizens.

Both sets of supporters were treated to a Premier League classic, but once again, Pro Ref's officials have stolen the spotlight on the pitch.

Last weekend, it was for allowing Haaland's winning goal to stand in the Manchester derby, and now Man City are involved yet again.

The Black Cats are absolutely fuming that Elliot Anderson wasn't punished for a handball inside the penalty area, and understandably so.

Joe Hart gets it all wrong live on-air

And when reviewing the incident on BBC's Match of the Day 2 (20 September), Joe Hart has done very little other than rub salt in the wounds.

The former City goalkeeper admitted to initially believing that Anderson had escaped punishment, but that he had later changed his mind.

Speaking on the show, he said: "I started to notice, the more I watched it, Le Fee's hand is involved as well. Le Fee brings it down, and they're both battling for the ball.

"And there, that is an unnatural position for me, and it hits Le Fee's hand. It also hits Anderson's hand, but if the referee is going to give anything there, it's a free-kick to Manchester City."

Even Man City fans have admitted that it should have been a penalty, so to suggest that a free-kick should have been awarded instead, Sunderland have every right to be upset.

What did a former PGMOL chief make of the incident?

With the score tied at 2-2 at the time of the incident, the Black Cats will feel they have a strong claim for an apology from Pro Ref this weekend.

Speaking to Football Insider, Keith Hackett said: "Elliot Anderson flicked the ball away from his opponent. This is a clear handball offence missed by the referee.

"It should have been picked up by VAR. And clearly, the outcome should have been a yellow card to Anderson, and a penalty kick to Sunderland."

Quite rightly, Hackett also points out that this could have been a huge turning point in the game, with Regis Le Bris' side potentially going ahead if the penalty had been awarded.