Steve Evans retracts 'disgraceful' penalty verdict but has this claim about Sunderland defeat

Steve Evans admitted that officials had been right to award Sunderland a penalty, having initially said that the decision was ‘absolutely disgusting’.
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The Gillingham boss did insist, however, that his side should have been awarded a second penalty of their own when substitute John Akinde collided with a Sunderland defender in the box.

The home side had missed a penalty early in the second half, with Lee Burge saving from Jordan Graham before Dominic Samuel turned the rebound over the bar from close range.

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Midfielder Alex MacDonald then saw red card for a tackle on Luke O’Nien within minutes.

Steve Evans was furious that Sunderland were awarded a penalty on Saturday afternoonSteve Evans was furious that Sunderland were awarded a penalty on Saturday afternoon
Steve Evans was furious that Sunderland were awarded a penalty on Saturday afternoon

The pressure told when Charlie Wyke was brought down in the box with ten minutes to play, Chris Maguire converting before Lynden Gooch sealed the three points with a late breakaway goal.

Having reviewed the decision, Evans conceded it was ‘correct’.

"We got it wrong and the assistant referee was correct,” Evans said.

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"The missed penalty happens, the rebound we should score, that looked easy for Dominic to score but the disappointed aspect was two-fold for me.

“Alex MacDonald quite rightly had the ears taken off him, so he should,” Evans added.

"I told him he must look at his team-mates and feel embarrassed.

“You don’t get embarrassed by missing a chance from a penalty, but the boys have worked incredibly hard, they are producing some really good performances but when it all levels out you have to believe that it turns. It will turn, we have to believe it will.”

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Sunderland had missed a host of good opportunities before the red card, with Luke O’Nien also having a goal disallowed in the first half.

Despite that, Evans said he felt the best team had lost.

Gillingham have now lost their last five games. Speaking before the game, Evans had said that he expects Sunderland to win automatic promotion this season.

“It was a really good performance,” Evans said.

“Chances were made and not taken, a rebound was missed when it seemed easier to score and Alex commits a terrible challenge, for me it is a red card, on the eye, i will have to look at it back.

“The best team has lost but nobody is going to believe that around the country.

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“A large percentage of the fans don’t see it, it is still a defeat and it is my responsibility, but it was an outstanding Gillingham performance.

“Ipswich [a 1-0 defeat on Tuesday] second half was outstanding. I would accept us to be rubbish and win but we have now lost five in a row, one of them we wholeheartedly deserved to lose [against MK Dons]. We should have drawn two and won two of the others but we have lost them. We need to go again.”

In a bad-tempered contest, Phil Parkinson praised his side for their composure.

“The key thing here is to be competitive but cool, to keep your heads,” he said.

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“There was a bad tackle on Denver in the first half and I said to the lads at half time, we've got to be competitive but stay in control.

“I was really pleased with that.

“Gillingham played well at Ipswich in the week and deserved something from the game, so we knew it would be difficult.”