Sky Sports commentator blasts Sunderland player for ‘terrible’ moment vs Aston Villa
Chris Sutton was very critical of a Sunderland player who almost cost his team in the second half of their clash with Aston Villa.
Before the game, Unai Emery was under big pressure following his side’s woeful start to their Premier League season, failing to score a single goal in their opening four games and picking up just two points.
It has been a completely different story for newly-promoted Sunderland, who won both of their first two games at home.
Sunderland ran out 3-0 winners over West Ham United on the opening day, as well as beating Brentford 2-1, and also picked up a point away at Crystal Palace.
Robin Roefs slammed for costly error against Aston Villa
After a first-half red card for Reinildo Mandava, Sunderland were always going to be up against it, but the Black Cats came out as the better side after the break.
However, in the 67th minute, Matty Cash let fly from the edge of the area, and his shot somehow squirmed into the net to give Aston Villa a 1-0 lead.
Speaking on Sky Sports, [21 September], Sutton put the blame on the home side’s shot stopper, Robin Roefs, who had only managed to divert the long-range strike into the top corner.
“It is a goalkeeping error – it is a brilliant strike, but Roefs will be bitterly disappointed, maybe there is movement on the ball, but he gets a good hand on it,” said Sutton.
“It is terrible from Roefs, who punches it in his own net.”
Roefs error dampens impressive Sunderland start
Bar his mistake against Villa, Roefs has been superb for the Black Cats since his summer arrival from Dutch side NEC Nijmegen.
The 22-year-old had taken to Premier League football like a duck to water, keeping two clean sheets in his first four games, before the error.
Roefs was particularly impressive in Sunderland’s win over Brentford, making several vital saves as well as keeping out a Kevin Schade penalty.
Even after letting Cash’s shot slip through his fingers, the Netherlands-born shot-stopper still had the support of the Stadium of Light crowd, who fervently cheered every subsequent save he made.
Wilson Isidor’s late equaliser slightly spared Roefs’ blushes, but it will still be a reminder to the young keeper that the Premier League is unforgiving.