'Should have been' - Alan Shearer reacts to Dan Ballard challenge in Sunderland's draw with Brighton
Alan Shearer has given his thoughts on Dan Ballard's robust challenge in Sunderland's 0-0 draw at Brighton.
Dan Ballard should have been sent off for a robust challenge on Charalampos Kostoulas in Sunderland’s 0-0 draw with Brighton on Saturday.
That’s according to Alan Shearer, who was discussing the incident alongside Gary Lineker and Micah Richards on The Rest is Football. Ballard was shown a yellow card in the 79th minute by referee Darren England as he went over the top of the ball and onto the foot of Kostoulas, following a heavy touch in midfield. The decision was upheld after VAR review, with the Premier League’s Match Centre X account posting: “The referee’s call of yellow card to Ballard for a reckless challenge was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the contact deemed to be glancing.”
Ballard was named Man of the Match by Sunderland as he won a match-high 12 duels, alongside four tackles, six clearances, one interception and six recoveries to help the Black Cats to a valuable point on the South Coast.
Alan Shearer: Dan Ballard lucky to escape red card
Shearer was discussing the weekend’s big refereeing decisions with Lineker and Richards, including the incident which saw Spurs playmaker Xavi Simons sent off as he caught the leg of compatriot Virgil van Dijk.
In Shearer’s opinion, Ballard was lucky to escape a red card for a challenge he felt was ‘far worse’ than the Simons incident. “Dan Ballard, I’m not just saying this because it’s Sunderland, because he has been one of the players of the season. He’s been amazing. But he got away with one on Saturday that he went actually over the top,” said the former Newcastle United and England striker.
Shearer added: “He had a poor touch and then went over the top. And that should have been a red card as well, but he got away with a yellow card. It was far worse than the one Xavi Simons did. “
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What next for Sunderland?
Sunderland walked away from the Amex Stadium a little disappointed only to take a draw, after generating 1.38 xG compared to just 1.13 by the hosts.
However, it’s still a valuable point on the road that leaves them sixth in the Premier League table and just two points adrift of the top four as we near the halfway point of the campaign. Up next for the Black Cats is a pair of home games against Leeds United on 28th December and Manchester City on New Year’s Day, with Sunderland looking to maintain their unbeaten Premier League record at the Stadium of Light this season. After that, it’s a London double-header against at Tottenham and Brentford on the 4th and 7th of January, respectively, as the hectic winter schedule continues.