Former Sunderland and Leeds United star surprised by VAR call after 'nasty' incident

A key decision by the officials in Sunderland’s home game with Premier League rivals Leeds United has been questioned by a man that knows what it takes to play for both clubs.

The Black Cats were looking to preserve their unbeaten record at the Stadium of Light and were full of confidence as they returned to their home patch for the first time since their Wear-Tyne derby victory against local rivals Newcastle United earlier this month. The clash with the Whites was expected to be a high-intensity affair and that was played out as the two sides went head-to-head in a ferocious opening to the contest.

Leeds suffered a major injury blow when Wales international defender Joe Rodon went down under a challenge from Black Cats striker Brian Brobbey before being on the wrong end of a similar tackle from winger Simon Adingra. To compound the visitors misery, Adingra went on to take advantage of Rodon’s woes as he fired Sunderland in front minutes later as the Whites centre-back played him onside.

Former Sunderland and Leeds United striker Michael Bridges admitted his surprise the VAR officials had not got involved in the aftermath of Adingra’s challenge - and fellow pundit Jamie Redknapp expressed his sympathy for the former Tottenham Hotspur defender and Leeds manager Daniel Farke.

He told Sky Sports: “I feel for him because, to a certain extent, he’s almost too brave for his own good. He take a really nasty one on his ankle there (from Brobbey) and then Adingra comes across, catches his ankle and subsequently this throw-in is where it comes from and he’s in agony. He’s a tough boy, he wants to play on. Dominic Calvert-Lewin comes over to his, asks if he’s alright and he says he’s struggling but he’s going to carry on, he’s a centre-back, that’s the sort of character he is. Now if you look at him as the ball comes in, he’s too slow to clear his lines because he’s struggling, he’s limping, he’s limping. He keeps Adingra just onside and then does he get out in time, no, because he can’t work his feet and you can see straightaway he has to come off.”

What was said about Simon Adingra’s challenge on Joe Rodon in Sunderland v Leeds United?

Speaking as part of Sky Sports commentary team at the Stadium of Light, former Black Cats and Leeds striker Michael Bridges said: “I think this one is a lot worse for Joe Rodon. Adingra doesn’t catch him with the initial leg, it’s the trailing leg again. The way his ankle rolls, just have a look, it kind of tweaks, that’s not nice. I can’t see Joe coming back from that one. I can understand why this one (the Brobbey challenge) wasn’t given as a yellow card because it’s the trailing leg and there’s no intent there. But this second one, because Adingra is so close to him, the knee comes down and rolled the ankle, and it could even go to VAR to have a look at that. It’s nasty.”

Your next Sunderland read: Régis Le Bris issues Dan Ballard update as Sunderland defender suffers ankle injury