Granit Xhaka in fan flashpoint as Nordi Mukiele and Omar Alderete incidents add to Sunderland’s chaotic night | OneFootball

A chaotic night at the London Stadium featured a touchline flashpoint involving Granit Xhaka, an injury to Nordi Mukiele and a late confrontation with Omar Alderete during Sunderland’s Premier League trip to West Ham.

Régis Le Bris’ side arrived ninth after 22 games. It was Sunderland’s first visit since a stoppage-time set-piece settled a 1-0 defeat in October 2016. According to Sunderland Echo, Dan Neil did not travel amid interest, with Rangers understood to be ahead.

Xhaka was ruled out with an ankle problem sustained against Crystal Palace, and the club said he is now in rehabilitation at the Academy of Light. Eliezer Mayenda started in a hybrid role, drifting infield to support Brian Brobbey.

Dan Ballard suffered a 22nd-minute scare after a chance in the box but played on, then took the armband after the break. A half-time triple change followed, with Reinildo Mandava having earlier avoided a second booking.

Away from the action, Ally McCoist revealed on TNT Sports that he had been interviewed for the Sunderland job during the Steve Bruce era.

After the interval, Sadiki’s challenge on Summerville left him limping and Summerville’s momentum carried him into Mukiele, who took a heavy knock to the back of the knee and his bandaged wrist and was forced off. With six minutes left, Xhaka exchanged words with fans, stewards intervened and play was halted. Late on, Alderete appeared to square up to a West Ham player moments after Luke O’Nien hit the bar with a cross-cum-shot.

Source: Sunderland Echo