Did the referee at Sheffield United v Middlesbrough make a huge error exposed by Sky Sports? | OneFootball

Michael Cooper and Sheffield United were both wearing yellow kits in Middlesbrough's win at Sheffield United.

Middlesbrough moved to the top of the Championship on Monday night with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Sheffield United.

It was a frantic contest between two good sides, but Kim Hellberg will have felt his team deserved the points as they controlled periods of the game, and were a constant threat with their energy and quality.

With Joe Rothwell sent off, some excellent goals and missed chances, it was also a great game for the neutral.

Michael Cooper and Sol Brynn kit clash in Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough

Despite ending the game with ten men, Sheffield United continued to push for an equaliser, which included sending Michael Cooper up for a corner.

That created a remarkable moment where the Blades' keeper went up against opposite number, Sol Brynn, and it was immediately noticeable that they were both wearing yellow kits.

So, it quickly became a talking point whether the referee had made a mistake in allowing the two keepers to wear the same coloured kit.

However, FA rules state that the keepers must only wear kits that are ‘distinguishable from the other players’.

If the two keepers do wear the same shirt, the referee is allowed to let the game go ahead, although they do state that it’s only if neither has another shirt available.

As an away team, you would normally expect Boro to take a different goalkeeper shirt, and it’s unclear why Brynn didn’t wear the light blue keeper shirt, as it wouldn’t have clashed with the kit the team had on at Bramall Lane, nor with Sheffield United’s red-and-white shirt.

Of course, if Cooper hadn’t gone up for a corner, it’s highly likely that this wouldn’t have been a talking point, and most fans wouldn’t have noticed at all.

But, the referee should’ve advised Brynn to wear a different colour, yet if they didn’t have one, he was right to let the game be played.

Middlesbrough proved their promotion credentials with Sheffield United win

As mentioned, this was a very eventful game, and it was unusual to see the two keepers in the same coloured kit, and it could’ve given the referee a problem if the corner had gone between the two.

Overall, though, it was an exciting clash between two very good teams, and Boro will see this as a massive three points in their quest to reach the Premier League.

Whilst the Blades had some good chances, Hellberg’s side played some superb football, and the balance in the midfield and the way they moved the ball forward was impressive.

The win means they are now leading the way, and it was ideal preparation for the massive fixture away at second-placed Coventry City on Monday night.