Hatters boss frustrated by Sunderland’s ‘Red Arrows’
Luton Town boss Rob Edwards could not hide his frustration with the controversial penalty that allowed Sunderland to take a point from Saturday's game at the Stadium of Light.
The visitors had taken a lead early in the second half of a cagey contest when Alfie Doughty's effort beat Anthony Patterson. They weredefending well until Am ad went down under a challenge in the box. Referee Scott Oldham initially waved away Sunderland's claims but then awarded apenalty after advice from one of his officials.
Am ad took his chancesuperbly and it was the hosts who then ended the game on top.
"It's very frustrating," Edwards said. "Sunderland are a very good team, I love what Tony has done and they haveindividuals, so I' m not sitting here saying that they didn't deserve anything from the game. But the equaliser has come from a wrong decision.
"I've been in to speak to the officials and they've explained their reasons, and they don't have the benefits of replays or VAR to make their decisions.
“The linesman felt there was a pull, there is contact between both of their arms but I don' t think there was a pull and I don't think it would send the player the other way. It's a really tough one for us to take, and I' ll say it again, I know it is difficult and these events happen fast - but these games are all so important for every team. These are big games, for both teams, and it totally changed the dynamics of the game. They've then got 40,000 on their feet and going nuts for their team, and it changes the belief of their players. They' ve got about 20 forwards on the pitch, every one of them a good player, and it feels like you're playing against the red arrows.”