Late penalty salvages a point for Sunderland
Enzo Le Fee's late penalty rescued a point for Sunderland after a pulsating 1-1 draw against Brentford in the Premier League.
The Black Cats were awarded a penalty after Keane Lewis-Potter wrestled Wilson Isidor to the ground, with Le Fee rolling his spot-kick into the bottom-right corner, eight minutes from time at Gtech Community Stadium.
Sunderland's equaliser cancelled out Vitaly Janelt's 57th-minute strike, with both sides seeing goals ruled out by the video assistant referee (VAR).
Lewis-Potter should have given Brentford the lead in the fifth minute after a short corner routine, but the full-back saw his close-range attempt blocked, while Dan Ballard saw a goal ruled out two minutes later after debutant Kevin Danso was adjudged to have been offside.
Moments into the second half, Igor Thiago’s downward header was thwarted by Robin Roefs. The home side then took the lead after Janelt arrowed a first-time effort into the top-left corner after Nordi Mukiele failed to clear Lewis-Potter’s delivery.
Lewis-Potter almost doubled the scoreline minutes later, but the Brentford player’s volley bounced into the ground before flying over the woodwork.
Jaidon Anthony thought he had scored Brentford’s second, but it was disallowed after Roefs was fouled at the near post.
However, Le Fee had the last say, rolling his spot-kick into the bottom-right corner, after a lack of concentration from Lewis-Potter in the 18-yard box.
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris was happy his side came from behind to draw.
“It was probably one of our best first halves in the Premier League so far because Brentford are a really good team at home. But you have to be clinical," he said.
“We dominated the ball and had a good bit of possession. It's a bit of a shame to concede the goal when we did. But the lads stayed connected. It was good for the substitutes because when they came on they were good and gave us extra drive.”
Le Bris also praised new signing Kevin Danso after the defender sealed a move from Tottenham Hotspur.
“He brings authority and physicality. In this league, if you don't have this quality, it's hard to manage long balls,” he said.
Brentford manager Keith Andrews was left to rue what could have been.
“We caused ourselves a lot of problems. We were better in the second half. We started fighting more, did the ugly side of the game and played with a bit more conviction. There was a real improvement, and I thought the game was there for the taking in the second half,” he said.
“The fact we're looking round the place and there is a tinge of disappointment. Nothing is given to you in this league – you have to go and earn it.”
Andrews was less than impressed with Thomas Bramall’s decision to award Sunderland a penalty.
“I need to be a bit careful. Overall, I didn't love the decisions. In terms of the penalty, I don't have too many qualms about it,” he said.
