Sky Sports pundit reacts to Trai Hume’s ‘harsh’ red card decision in Sunderland’s defeat to Bristol City

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Sunderland were down to men in the opening exchanges at Ashton Gate after Trai Hume was given a straight red card.

Bristol City beat Sunderland 2-1 on Good Friday, in a typically dramatic top-six Championship clash.

Liam Manning’s side were desperate for points to secure their play-off place, which the Black Cats managed to do with five games to spare after their draw at Norwich City last week.

With single-digit minutes on the clock, Sunderland star Trai Hume was dismissed by referee Oliver Langford, after he tangled with Robins striker Nahki Wells.

Hume was adjudged to have brought Wells down with the striker breaking through on goal, but there was still some distant between the Robins ace and Anthony Patterson’s net.

Sunderland fans slammed the decision on social media, and one Sky Sports pundit agreed with their grievances.

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Sky Sports pundit labels Trai Hume’s red card vs Bristol City as a ‘harsh’ decision

Eliezer Mayenda opened the scoring for ten-man Sunderland with a stunning solo goal just after the half-hour mark, but Hume’s red card made it difficult for Le Bris’ side to stem the Robins’ tide.

Second-half strikes from Rob Dickie and Ross McCrorie completed the comeback victory for Manning’s men, and saw them go four points clear of fellow play-off hopefuls Middlesbrough in the Championship table, as the hunt for the illustrious play-off places heats up.

During Sky Sports’ coverage of the 2-1 Bristol City win, pundit Gareth Evans said: “I do think it’s harsh. I mean, it’s a really strange passage of play. It’s just a long punt upfield and it bounces through for Nahki Wells, who’s, yes, he’s bearing down on goal.

“Has Trai Hume really meant to get his body in the way? I mean, there’s obviously a clash of bodies there. If you go by the rule of the books, you’d have to say that it probably is a sending off, but it’s really unfortunate circumstances for Trai Hume.”

Hume was sold short by central-defender Luke O’Nien after his teammate got too tight to Wells, which created acres of space in behind the Black Cats’ backline, that the full-back raced to recover but could only see his efforts rewarded with the red card.

Evans added on the red card decision: “I just think it was a coming together of bodies. I think when the actual contact is made, I think Trai Hume’s actually got his arms in the air and he’s sort of trying to get out of the way of Wells.

“He [Wells] was going wide, he wasn’t between the width of the post, you could say, but you’d have to say that his next touch probably would have taken it in towards the post.”

Hume will now miss Sunderland’s Easter Monday fixture at home to Blackburn Rovers, with former Preston North End veteran Alan Browne expected to deputise once more as a makeshift full-back.

With or without Hume, there is still a massive desire from the Sunderland faithful for Le Bris’ side to end their inconsequential league fixtures on a high note, with their performance levels dwindling at precisely the most worrying moment.

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Sunderland’s performance against Bristol City does not bode well for Championship play-offs

The result at Ashton Gate was symptomatic of the two clubs’ current second tier states.

Sunderland were intent on riding the game out and defending, having already booked their top-six spot, but the Robins’ desperation and hunger for imperative points gave them the impetus for victory.

If the Championship table stopped now, then Sunderland would face Bristol City in the Championship play-off semi-finals, with Sheffield United and Coventry City drawing swords in the other two-legged affair.

Hume’s red card admittedly didn’t help Sunderland’s cause, but Le Bris’ side ought to improve if they are to face Manning’s men again in just a matter of weeks. Bristol City enjoyed a staggering 77% possession in the fixture, firing seven shots on target at Patterson, and missing two big chances to enhance their lead.

If results go their way and Bristol City do cement fifth-place, then the Robins’ tails will certainly be up going into an eventual play-off clash, as the Black Cats lick their wounds from another disappointing result.