There were two big calls for the officials in Sunderland’s home win against Premier League rivals Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.

It was a story of two big penalty calls from the match officials as Sunderland returned to winning ways in the Premier League by edging out Chelsea at the Stadium of Light.

The Black Cats produced a hardworking, dogged and determined performance and pressed the big spending Blues throughout a pulsating 90 minutes - and they got their rewards with a penalty from Enzo Le Fee nine minutes before half-time.

Referee Jarred Gillett shows a yellow card to Levi Colwill of Chelsea during his side's defeat at Sunderland (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) | Getty Images

placeholder image — Referee Jarred Gillett shows a yellow card to Levi Colwill of Chelsea during his side's defeat at Sunderland (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) | Getty Images

That decision came after referee Jarred Gillett ruled visitors defender Levi Colwill had tipped Black Cats striker Brian Brobbey inside the area after the two players has tangled as they made their way towards the Blues goal. The decision was supported by the VAR officials and that allowed Le Fee to score from 12 yards and give Sunderland only their second win of the Premier League season.

Colwill was booked for his protests following the decision but former Sunderland manager Roy Keane insisted the officials made the right call.

He told Sky Sports: “I think it’s brilliant centre forward play,” explained the former Black Cats boss. “If you want to criticise the defender, he’s too tight and when he gets too tight, he rolls him. You’re in big trouble. There is contact across the legs and I think it’s the right decision. Chelsea, no doubt, will complain about it but you see, he just catches him. We’ve seen it a few times and it’s a big moment for Sunderland.”

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Chelsea had their own penalty shout before half-time when Luke O’Nien and the impressive Jules Ahoka, who was introduced as an early substitute following an injury to Granit Xhaka, both appeared to make contact with Cole Palmer on the edge of the Black Cats area. The VAR officials ruled the challenge was made outside of the area - and Keane admitted the call ‘looked tight’.

Keane said: “It’s very, very tight and you need the benefit of the doubt if you’re not sure. It looks tight, of course, but sometimes a team like Sunderland, you need a little break, a little bit of luck and they obviously get it with their own penalty.”

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