Crewe Alexandra boss delivers verdict on Sunderland draw and criticises key decision

Crewe Alexandra boss David Artell said his side were 'good value for a win' on Saturday afternoon, and said his side should have been awarded at least one first-half penalty.
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Crewe had the better of the contest, particularly in a wretched first hour for Sunderland, but two stunning strikes from substitutes Jordan Jones and Chris Maguire rescued a point for the visitors.

Artell said Charlie Kirk should have been awarded a penalty in the first half, but said the midfielder's decision not to go to ground cost him.

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"I thought we should have had a penalty in the first half," Artell said.

Crewe score their second goal of the afternoonCrewe score their second goal of the afternoon
Crewe score their second goal of the afternoon

"Charlie [Kirk] has then nicked it over the goalkeeper and got clipped, but has stayed on his feet because he's young and naive.

"Their bench agreed with that.

"I'm not condoning diving but that's what experienced pros do.

"We had great chances to score more goals but weren't able to."

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Artell praised his side for their performance, saying that had enjoyed good control of the contest throughout.

He bemoaned two magnificent strikes that earned a point for Lee Johnson's side when they appeared to be drifting towards a damaging defeat.

"It's all about the result that goes in the book," Artell said.

"I thought we were good value for the three points but it wasn't to be, they've scored to worldies and that's what it's taken to get a draw.

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"So we'll take nothing away from the boys, they've got the best away record in the league and had to do that.

"It's disappointing.

"We should have scored more than two and that's the disappointment for us.

"We controlled the game through our possession in the first half, created chances, and then the second half was about containment," he added.

"We did that, then the lad scores a rocket from 30 yards.

"It didn't change the game that much because I don't think they built any pressure and they've scored from a knockdown from a long ball.

"That's sometimes how it goes in football.

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"It's disappointing but we've got to take heart from how we've played against Sunderland.”

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