Journalist says 24-year-old should have been sent off during Sunderland v Leeds clash

Sunderland were advised they should have finished last night’s match with Leeds United with only ten men.

Sunderland chose to play five at the back as they traveled to Elland Road Friday night, having defeated Leeds in a similar style before Christmas.

Mike Dodds gave Timothee Pembele his full debut at right wing-back, while Callum Styles returned on the opposite flank.

Meanwhile, Trai Hume has joined Luke O’Nien and Dan Ballard in central defence.

The Black Cats kept their fourth clean sheet in five games with a strong performance on the road, though they were fortunate not to concede a penalty in both half.

Luke O’Nien’s handball was blatant, but Sunderland got away with it, and Dan Ballard appeared to make contact with the ball after a Crysencio Summerville shot early on.

The 24-year-old had a lively first half that upset the home crowd, and he was booked for two silly fouls after only 20 minutes.

Ballard also came near after a disagreement with Patrick Bamford, bringing his total of fouls to four for the game, while he also got away with the handball and could have handed Leeds a penalty if they had not been offside.

The defender had a turbulent game, but he also contributed significantly to the visitors’ clean sheet, leaving Leeds fans perplexed as to why he remained on the pitch.

Leeds ‘should have come away with more’

The supporters were not the only ones who thought Ballard should have been sent off; The Athletic journalist Nancy Froston agreed.

She commented, “Leeds could and should have won more in this game if refereeing decisions had gone their way.” Sunderland defender Dan Ballard was fortunate to remain on the field following a sequence of fouls on Patrick Bamford.

“Then there was a first-half penalty claim for handball on Summerville’s deflected shot, followed by the most atrocious of them for those wearing Leeds white in the second half on Joe Rodon.

When the Welshman rose to meet a corner, it appeared that the referee might have awarded a penalty based on a handball, shirt grab, or flailing arm to the face, but Tim Robinson did not.

Did Dan Ballard prevent a win for Leeds United?

 

 

I was surprised Mike Dodds didn’t take Dan Ballard off since, while he was strong defensively in the second half, he appeared to be dying to get booked in the first.

It would have only needed one more dumb foul for him to get sent off, which would have been terrible for Sunderland’s hopes in the following game.

He stayed, though, and to his credit, he was excellent afterward. The center-back made nine clearances, one block, two interceptions, and one tackle while also winning three headers.

His fierceness in the early stages was perhaps overshadowed by Luke O’Nien’s ‘handball’, but it is certain that Tim Robinson will face harsh criticism for his decision-making, especially if it costs Leeds the title.