Florent Ghisolfi spotted with Sir Bob Murray as injuries and loan move mark Fulham clash | OneFootball

An incident-packed afternoon on Wearside mixed a youth loan and a moving tribute with injuries, VAR ire and directors under the camera.

According to Sunderland Echo, Sunderland confirmed before kick-off that 18-year-old goalkeeper Ben Metcalf had joined Ashington on a short-term youth loan, his first senior step. Ashington manager Marc Ellison welcomed the move, and Metcalf is a Northern Ireland youth international.

Régis Le Bris handed Jocelin Ta Bi a full debut, kept Granit Xhaka on the bench after an ankle lay-off, and deployed Trai Hume at left back.

A big-screen tribute honoured lifelong servant George Baker, who died aged 93 after 60 years of service. Director of football Florent Ghisolfi sat with former owner Sir Bob Murray, while owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus was also present.

Nordi Mukiele suffered an early injury and was replaced by Lutsharel Geertruida. Later, Ta Bi was forced off after attempting to continue, Romaine Mundle came on and Nilson Angulo switched to the right.

After the break Raúl Jiménez headed Fulham in front, then doubled it from the spot and celebrated in front of the Roker End. Home fans bristled at a lengthy VAR check for a Brian Brobbey shirt pull on Calvin Bassey and at a possible offside, while a Joachim Andersen challenge on Angulo brought no free-kick. Angulo missed a big chance on 68 minutes, Sunderland won a penalty for a foul on Dan Ballard, then Alex Iwobi broke to make it 3-1.

Source: Sunderland Echo