Kevin Phillips calls Sunderland man ‘naughty’ after what he did v West Brom

Kevin Phillips slams ‘reckless’ Dan Ballard foul on Josh Maja as West Brom striker injured in loss to Sunderland live on Sky Sports

According to Kevin Phillips, Dan Ballard’s foul on Josh Maja, which resulted in the West Brom player being injured, was “reckless” and “naughty.”

The former striker for both sides responded at halftime on Sky Sports match coverage after the Baggies forward’s first start for the club was cut down from behind in the heart of the pitch after 36 minutes.

Ballard left both feet and collided with Maja with a scissoring action, but was only awarded a yellow card in the first half at the Stadium of Light, with Phillips describing him as “very lucky” to remain on the field.

Phillips said (1.29pm): “I have to say I thought it was a reckless challenge. I don’t think he needed to make it in the area of the pitch.

“As you see from this angle he actually leaves the ground. He’s [got] no intent of really winning that football there, that’s a naughty one.

“It’s ended in Maja having to go off and he’s not long come back from an injury. Players don’t roll around too often in the Championship, you can see that’s a bad one.

“I think Ballard can count himself very lucky there that it wasn’t more than a yellow.”

 

 

Crushing

It was incredible that the challenge seemingly wasn’t worthy of a red card, given that players are often penalized for leaving both feet or scissor fouls from behind, much alone both in one.

Because Ballard remained on the field, it was the same man who put Sunderland ahead midway through the second half, almost literally adding insult to injury.

It was a devastating development for Maja, who had only recently returned from a lengthy injury layoff and appeared to be establishing himself in the West Brom team, having scored his first goal for the club against Leicester City last week and been rewarded with his first start as a result.

Carlos Corberan will also be wondering if he will have any attackers left soon, with Matt Phillips tearing his hamstring last week and being ruled out for four months, captain Jed Wallace being out with a shoulder injury, and Daryl Dike still not having played all season.

The Albion have had a difficult couple of weekends in more ways than one, just as they appeared to be establishing a serious challenge for the top slots in the Championship.

Corberan has overcome the majority of the obstacles thrown in his path as manager, but a heartbreaking late defeat after matching the league leaders one week, then a tough late loss in the North East the next, while players are being ruled out as quickly as they come back into the side, is making it an uphill struggle.