Former PGMOL referee Keith Hackett has once again shared his thoughts on a Sunderland-related incident, this time in the aftermath of their 1-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns. Trai Hume scored the only goal of the match in the 35th minute, capitalizing on a costly mistake by West Brom goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith. However, the game wasn’t without controversy. At half-time, Sunderland’s players returned to the pitch slightly late, causing a minor delay to the second-half restart. This brief hold-up left the West Brom players waiting on the field, with midfielder Alex Mowatt visibly frustrated. Although Baggies manager Tony Mowbray didn’t address it in his post-match press conference, it was noted that referee Tom Nield had a word with Sunderland captain Dan Neil regarding the delay.
Hackett commented after the match, suggesting that Sunderland’s tardiness could be interpreted as deliberate gamesmanship. He indicated that the referee would likely include the incident in his official report, which could lead to disciplinary action by the EFL, potentially in the form of a fine. “Sunderland coming out late could be an act of gamesmanship,” Hackett told West Brom News, adding that a fine from the EFL was “more than likely.”
This is not the first time Hackett has called for action against Sunderland this season. Earlier, he had predicted retrospective punishment for Hume following an incident in their win over Coventry, which never materialised. He also pointed to potential disciplinary consequences after time-wasting allegations during a clash with Preston North End, again with no follow-up from the authorities.
In addition to the controversy, Sunderland now face a fresh injury concern. Romaine Mundle was forced off in the first half of the West Brom game, showing signs of discomfort in the same hamstring that sidelined him for several months earlier in the season. Head coach Régis Le Bris expressed uncertainty over the extent of the injury, stating that a clearer assessment would come in a few days. Interestingly, Le Bris opted to replace Mundle not with fellow winger Tommy Watson, but with Eliezer Mayenda. The youngster made a notable impact, winning the free kick that led to Hume’s decisive goal.
Despite West Brom dominating possession and registering over 20 shots, Sunderland’s resilience in defence and Hume’s set-piece strike made the difference. The result was significant for both teams, with West Brom slipping out of the top six, while Sunderland strengthened their position and are now on the brink of securing a playoff spot.
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