Premier League release image and statement explaining offside call in Sunderland v Brighton
Sunderland were disallowed a goal early in the second half against Brighton
Sunderland’s goal early in the second half against Brighton was ruled out after a VAR check ruled that Omar Alderete was offside.
Alderete thought he had produced an assist when he headed a long ball forward into the path of Chris Rigg, who beat Bart Verbruggen and found the far corner with his weaker right foot. It had been a well worked move from Sunderland, Granit Xhaka initially playing it short to Trai Hume who played it forward into the path of Alderete. However, a lengthy VAR check eventually ruled that Alderete had just moved into an offside position when the ball was played forward by Hume.
The Premier League match centre released an image on their social media channels, showing why the goal had been ruled out. A statement said: “VAR checked the referee’s call of goal – and established that Alderete was in an offside position in the build-up and recommended that the goal was disallowed.”
Though it was clearly the correct decision, Sunderland’s frustration was compounded minutes later when Brighton took the lead from a set piece of their own, though it was a goal that came with a large slice of fortune. Brighton won a corner when Trai Hume’s attempted backpass ran out for a corner, with Xhaka not able to fully clear his lines from initial delivery. Yankuba Minteh then beat Xhaka to the byline and attempted a cross on his weaker right foot, a miskick flying past Ellborg and into the back of the net. Sunderland had two frustrations: Diarra was on the floor having felt he had been pushed in the build up, while Van Hecke appeared to be in Ellborg’s eyeline from an offside position when Minteh crossed. A VAR check ruled no offence had been made, however, and the goal stood. The Echo understands Van Hecke’s position was checked by VAR, but that he was played onside by Ellborg’s position.
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Though Xhaka and Brian Brobbey were able to return to the starting XI in the game, Sunderland’s injury worries have deepened ahead of next week’s Tyne-Wear derby. Enzo Le Fee and Nilson Angulo both missed the game due to injury and though there is still some hope that Le Fee can feature against Newcastle United, Angulo is facing a spell on the sidelines.
Speaking ahead of kick off, Le Bris said: “Yeah, they picked up injuries during the training session, which is a shame, but it is what it is. We are more or less in this cycle when it's hard to manage the load, but we still have a strong starting XI, players on the bench to help the squad.
“It's a bit early [for a full prognosis], probably for Nilson it might last four weeks, six weeks, and for Enzo it might be less. I hope for the derby against Newcastle.”
Sunderland then were hit with another concern shortly after Minteh’s goal, with Dan Ballard limping off to be replaced by Luke O’Nien.
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