Sunderland transfer twist before Bournemouth as Granit Xhaka fumes at Jarred Gillett and Tyler Adams | OneFootball

Sunderland earned a point on the south coast in a match shaped by fine margins, a contentious VAR call and an oddly extended finale. An off-field twist emerged before kick-off.

Travelling supporters set off around nine pm on Friday for the near-300-mile journey, with a 12:30pm start offering little rest. In Colombia, reports said Ian Poveda had agreed a move to Inter Bogotá.

Régis Le Bris made four changes. Granit Xhaka returned, Noah Sadiki moved up, Chemsdine Talbi came in and Enzo Le Fée switched left, with Jocelin Ta Bi out. Nordi Mukiele and Brian Brobbey were sidelined for two to four weeks, Lutsharel Geertruida started at right back and Eliezer Mayenda led the line.

Sunderland felt they should have had an early penalty when Le Fée went down, but after a check the on-field call of no spot-kick stood, the contact deemed normal. Mayenda then put the visitors ahead.

On 58 minutes Tyler Adams caught Xhaka’s ankle, a yellow followed and VAR backed it after officials judged he had been pushed into the challenge. Xhaka carried on, but Bournemouth later levelled from a free-kick after Robin Roefs misread the flight. With around 15 minutes left Xhaka made way for Angulo.

Eight minutes were shown for stoppages, yet play drifted roughly six beyond that without a significant delay, prompting confusion around referee Jarred Gillett. Despite the chaos, Sunderland snapped a run of three defeats and moved to 37 points with 10 to play.

Source: Sunderland Echo