Sunderland receive response from dubious goals committee after controversial Jordan Willis header at Oxford United

The centre back nodded home in the opening stages at the Kassam Stadium to seal a 1-0 win, but the goal was initially given as a John Mousinho own goal – much to the confusion of many Sunderland fans.

But with Willis insistent the goal was his, the Black Cats have today confirmed that the strike has been awarded to the centre back after a review during the week.

Writing in his programme notes ahead of the visit of Bristol Rovers, Phil Parkinson expressed his bemusement at the fact the goal was taken away from Willis.

He wrote: “We got the early goal through a terrific header from Jordan Willis – I’m still trying to work out how it was flagged as an own goal.”