Sunderland

Image source, Rex Features

Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris lamented his side's second-half performance following their home 2-2 draw against Plymouth Argyle.

Wilson Isidor opened the scoring for the Black Cats after Argyle had taken the lead through an own goal with Trai Hume volleying in Sunderland's second before Nathanael Ogbeta snatched a dramatic 90th-minute equaliser.

"At the end I think we were a bit lucky to win a single point," Le Bris told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"I think we started well because the first half was OK, but we were faced with a very compact block and we found some solutions sometimes, but we didn't create many chances."

"During the second half I think we made many mistakes and we opened our shape and they found solutions to create chances and they scored.

"It was deserved from them and we came back in the game - but at the end it was more direct for them and we didn't manage the end of the game properly."

West Ham are tracking English midfielder Dan Neil but Sunderland are reluctant to let the 23-year-old depart during this window. (Guardian), external

Oxford United won't cash in on 21-year-old Tyler Goodrham during the transfer window despite interest from the likes of Leeds and Sunderland. (Oxford Mail, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column.

The Championship's bottom side Plymouth Argyle visit promotion contenders Sunderland on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Argyle - five points adrift of second-bottom Luton Town and six points from safety - have not registered a single league win since their 1-0 victory over Portsmouth in November.

Hosts Sunderland are having a better time as of late, fourth in the table and winning three of their past four league games (W3 D1).

• Sunderland have lost seven of their past 10 league games against Plymouth in the second tier (W3 L7), though did win this fixture 3-1 last season.

• After winning the reverse fixture 3-2 in September, Plymouth will be looking to complete a first league double over Sunderland since the 1991-92 season.

• Sunderland are unbeaten across their past 13 home league games (W9 D4), last enjoying a longer run at the Stadium of Light between May 2018 and April 2019 (21 games).

• Plymouth have failed to win any of their past 16 away league games (D3 L13), scoring three goals in total. The Pilgrims last endured a longer winless away run between March and December 1991 (18 games).

• Eliezer Mayenda has been involved in four goals in his past four league games (2 goals, 2 assists), with these being worth seven points to Sunderland.

Image source, PA Media

We asked for your thoughts on Wilson Isidor's controversial disallowed goal against Derby on Tuesday.

Here are a selection...

Jon: Goal. Ref who was closest to the action didn't blow for an infringement, linesman never raised flag for offside, presumably fourth official communicated through earpiece- what does he spot from the halfway line that the ref and linesman combined don't see? Embarrassing officiating.

Lewy: The "ghost" goal at Derby was a shambles in the way it was dealt with. The linesman didn't raise his flag at anytime during the build up, the actual goal or afterwards, disgraceful really.

Chris: The officials were caught napping - definitely not offside.

Andy: An explanation is needed from the officials to how they came to that decision.

Moz: Was it VAR by stealth? Referee was in the best position to see everything and didn't originally disallow the goal. No offside flag, I assume because there wasn't an offside to give. My only thought is that the fourth official spotted something on the monitor and got a message out. Unbelievable Jeff!!

Image source, PA Media

Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor saw his strike clatter with the underside of the crossbar to put the Black Cats 2-0 up against Derby County on Tuesday... or maybe not.

After a lengthy discussion between the referee and his two assistants, the goal was chalked off for offside.

But was it offside?

Do you think the goal should have stood?

Or was it the right call?

What do you think?

Let us know your thoughts on Isidor's ghost goal here.

Andrew Aloia
BBC Sport

Image source, Rex Features

Derby County's Pride Park witnessed a curious case of a 'ghost goal' on Tuesday that had many in the ground and watching from afar wondering what was going on.

Sunderland's Jobe Bellingham lifted a sumptuous ball over the top of the Rams defence for Enzo Le Fee to run onto.

Was there a hint of an offside at this point? Sure. Any flag raised? No.

Le Fee then managed to work the ball to Wilson Isidor, who was picking himself up off the ground after colliding with a defender.

The forward kept his cool, and slammed his effort home off the underside of the crossbar. A great finish that had appeared to put the promotion-chasing visitors' win beyond doubt.

Initially, it appeared as if referee Sam Allison was thinking the same thing.

This is where things got fuzzy. And even when players and managers were talking to media afterwards, no-one seemed completely sure of what to say.

While the Championship doesn't make use of a video assistant referee (VAR), it doesn't mean the officials aren't connected to one another and constantly talking over the radio.

It is understood that the two assistant referees were talking Allison through what unfolded and why the goal shouldn't count.

It wasn't a VAR-length review or debate - the sort that leaves some people cursing technology's encroachment on the game - but it went on long enough for almost everyone to think Sunderland were 2-0 ahead.

Isidor, it was decided, had been offside when the initial ball was played over the top and while he wasn't the first to the ball, he impacted how Derby dealt with the danger, with his run tripping up Ebou Adams as he tried to reach Le Fee.

There are still images taken from television cameras showing where players were stood, but anything anyone says at this point will be debated as right or wrong.

In the end, it was a 'ghost goal' of no consequence as Sunderland hung on for a 1-0 victory to move up to third in the table.

Still, a goal that seems to be a goal, then is not given as a goal and has people scratching their heads, gives us all something to talk about.

Chelsea academy graduate Harvey Vale has attracted the eye of Sunderland, Queens Park Rangers, West Bromwich Albion and Oxford United as well as overseas interest. (Sky Sports, external)

The Black Cats and QPR are also interested in Celtic winger Luis Palma, who is also drawing the eye of Stoke City and Swansea City. (Football Insider, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Wednesday's gossip here.

Image source, PA Media

Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris spoke to BBC Radio Newcastle after the Black Cats beat Derby County 1-0 at Pride Park.

"I don't know, really [about why Isidor's goal was disallowed].

"Maybe with VAR we could analyse the first ball and maybe an offside, but I don't think it was that decision. It was higher up the pitch and at the moment we don't know.

"It could have changed the outcome of the game, but at the end it was another tough game and the balance was different for the duration.

"We started maybe a little slowly because they are direct, and then after 15 minutes were good and created many chances in the first half. And if you don't score the second goal, you know that the opponent will believe until the end and it happened like that.

"It's good for our character because it shows that even in these circumstances we are ready to defend until the end.

"I'd also like to have a more relaxed end to the game because it's important to avoid last-minute equalisers, and we have had them before."

Derby County welcome Sunderland on Tuesday as pressure mounts on Rams manager Paul Warne (19:45 GMT).

Derby have not won a league match in their past four league games to leave them only one point clear of the bottom three, while Sunderland's Friday fixture against fellow promotion contenders Burnley ended goalless.

Derby had success at Pride Park at the start of the season but the Rams have only won two of their past eight home games, whereas the Black Cats have only lost two of their past 10 away games.

• Derby are winless across their past 13 league games against Sunderland (D5 L8) since a 1-0 win at Pride Park in February 2001 in the Premier League.

• Sunderland are unbeaten across their past six away league games against Derby (W4 D2); the Black Cats' longest ever such run in this fixture.

• Derby have won two of their seven Championship games this season that have taken place in midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday), losing three of them (D2); they did, however, win their last such game at home against West Brom 2-1 in December.

• Sunderland have won all four of their league games against newly promoted sides in the Championship this season, scoring eight goals and conceding only once.

• Derby boss Warne has won one of his previous five Football League encounters with Sunderland (D2 L2), losing each of the past two league meetings by an aggregate score of 0-5.

Image source, Rex Features

Sunderland's players have had "many discussions" about what happened in the final 10 minutes of last Friday's goalless draw at Burnley, with boss Regis Le Bris yet to confirm whether Wilson Isidor will remain their designated penalty taker.

Isidor had two penalties saved by Clarets goalkeeper James Trafford in the closing stages of the game at Turf Moor, denying the Black Cats what would have been an impressive three points.

"Now it is less emotional - it is best to avoid strong discussion just after as obviously we were disappointed after the game," Le Bris told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"We made five big chances and two penalties so we were disappointed and it wasn't the best moment to analyse and discuss the situation."

Questions were raised in the immediate aftermath over whether the 24-year-old, who is Sunderland's top scorer with eight goals, should have taken the second spot-kick, with Le Bris stating the team on the pitch made the call.

"The players had many discussions and it's part of the learning process and I'm sure we will learn from it even if it was difficult," Le Bris added.

"At the end, it's easier to say it probably wasn't the best decision but they made one together and I have to respect that - the way we want to build the team is to give them responsibility on the pitch and so far that hasn't been too bad."

Victory on Friday would have left the Black Cats just two points behind second placed Sheffield United ahead of Tuesday night's game at Derby and Le Bris has not said explicitly whether Isidor will take the team's next penalty.

"We'll see - (James) Trafford was good and expected that shot so Wilson now probably has to find different locations for his shots and it will be a useful experience for sure," he added.

Sunderland are close to signing Westerlo forward Matija Frigan, 21, with the Black Cats preferring a loan move, while the Belgian club are looking for a permanent deal. (Sunderland Echo, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Monday's gossip here.

Leeds United, Sunderland, Coventry City and Swansea City are all tracking Oxford United midfielder Tyler Goodrham. (Football Insider), external

Sunderland have reached a "personal agreement" with KVC Westerlo striker Matija Frigan, with the Black Cats hoping to an initial loan with an option to buy. (Het Nieuwsblad - in French), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Sunday's full gossip column.

Image source, Rex Features

Wilson Isidor has described his Turf Moor nightmare as the worst day of his life but vowed to return stronger for the experience.

The Sunderland striker endured a calamitous night, having two penalties saved in a goalless stalemate against fellow promotion hopefuls Burnley on Friday night.

Posting on X, the 24-year-old front man said: "Feel like a big slap in the face, and the worst day of my life because all of us know how I love this club."

Isidor, who is the Black Cats leading scorer with eight Championship goals this season, added: "I would like to apologise on my teammates, every single fans and all the person of this club for what happened.

"I feel really ashamed, but I promise you that I will come back stronger from this! See you Tuesday, HWTL."

Isidor, who was signed from Zenit St Petersburg last summer, also thanked Sunderland fans for messages of support received after the match.

Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris was in philosophical mood after watching his team draw 0-0 with promotion rivals Burnley.

He was pleased with how the Black Cats fared in a tough contest, but was disappointed that they did not capitalise, most notably through Wilson Isidor's two late penalties.

"We created five or six chances so we can be disappointed that we didn't score but it shows that we can play a tough team away," said the Frenchman.

"Wilson is disappointed, like the team. But football is like that. You can make mistakes but you have to learn from them. It's the best way to improve and grow. I am sure he can put this behind him, 100%.

"You have to deal with difficult experiences. The goalkeeper made two good saves, they weren't poor penalties."

Image source, Getty Images

Signing forward Aaron Connolly from Sunderland was a "no brainer" for Millwall, says Lions head coach Alex Neil.

Republic of Ireland international Connolly's move to The Den was announced shortly after Tom Bradshaw's exit to Oxford United had been confirmed on Thursday.

Connolly, 24, joined the Black Cats from Hull City in the summer but only scored two goals in 11 appearances for the club.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's Championship fixture against the Tigers, Neil said it was "fair to say" Connolly had not played as much as he would have liked at the Stadium of Light.

"With Tom leaving we needed to get in a replacement, we needed to make sure we had competition for places and Aaron became available on a short-term deal," he told BBC Radio London.

"It made sense - [they have] similar profiles in terms of a striker who can take the ball on; stocky, quick over the ground over the first five-to-10 yards, got a goal in him, so from our perspective it was a bit of a no-brainer.

"Hopefully Aaron can come in and hit the ground [running] between now and the end of the season."

Neil said he thought Connolly would "certainly be available" for selection against Hull after the player came through 120 minutes in Sunderland's extra-time 2-1 FA Cup defeat by Stoke City.

Manchester United are interested in a January move for Sunderland midfielder Jobe Bellingham, however, the Black Cats are not keen on selling the teenager until the summer. (Team Talk, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Friday's gossip here.