Clinton Morrison and Dean Ashton have questioned the decision to award Sunderland a penalty during the 4-4 draw with Hull City after they heaped praise on the Black Cats for Jack Clarke's "breathtaking" goal against the Tigers.
Ozan Tufan's 98th minute spot-kick prevented Tony Mowbray's side from claiming victory and kept them six points adrift from the play-off places. Clarke set up two of Sunderland's goals before scoring himself in the 81st minute in what appeared to be the match-winning strike prior to the last-gasp penalty for the visitors.
Speaking after the full-time whistle, Morrison admitted that although he is hugely impressed by Clarke, he was disappointed in the way he went down under contact from Alfie Jones in the box.
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“I think Clarke is an outstanding player, but for me, that is not a penalty," he told ITV’s EFL Highlights show when asked about Sunderland's spot-kick in the 73rd minute. "No way he instigates it, Clarke. [Alfie] Jones is doing his job. No, there's not enough contact for me. It's clever play but yes - a good finish from Diallo - it's not a penalty.”
Fellow pundit Dean Ashton agreed with Morrison, adding: “I don't want to see that from such a good young player, making the contact rather than there being one."
Clarke would go on to get on the scoresheet himself for the Black Cats' final goal and Morrison could not help but purr over the fluid football that led to the finish.
He added: “Sunderland's last goal, let me tell you, it is outstanding where Jack Clarke does put it in the back of the net, the football from in their own half is breathtaking.”
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