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Regis Le Bris reacts on Sunderland not being awarded penalty for Elliot Anderson handball

Regis Le Bris reacts on Sunderland not being awarded a penalty for the Elliot Anderson handball in the 5-3 defeat to Man City.

A bonkers game of football played out at the Etihad on Sunday afternoon, an 8 goal thriller with Man City winning 5-3 to stay top of the Premier League table.

But there was some controversy, as according to Sunderland Echo, VAR looked at the apparent handball by Elliot Anderson, but upheld referee Rob Jones’s decision, judging the action accidental rather than deliberate.

Sunderland boss Regis le Bris spoke to Sky Sports after the game: “No compromise with our identity. I think we are really proud to play our football. We went toe-to-toe with one of the best sides in Europe today.

“We created many chances and any small error or mistake gets punished at this level. This is the reality of the Premier League and we have to learn.

“The team is really resilient and the belief is high about our qualities and the way we can hurt the opponents. We are a bit frustrated because we came here with the belief to win.

“We are happy with the squad, with the mentality and with the way we’re playing. Obviously we knew it was a tough start against many strong teams so it’s not a surprise to have four points after five games.”

On Brian Brobbey’s hat-trick: “It’s really positive for a striker, when you don’t score it’s still possible to tell the story differently but for us it is really clear that he is a good striker and he’s getting better game after game. It’s just a question of time.”

On Elliot Anderson’s potential handball in the penalty area: “It was hard to see that as not a handball. It is what it is and we have to accept the decision. It’s hard to comment.”

He also said: “It’s hard to say, it looks like a handball to me.

I don’t know [why it’s not given]. They don’t explain, they just say yes or no.”

Keith Hackett said to Football Insider: “Elliot Anderson flicked the ball away from his opponent. This is a clear handball offence missed by the referee.

“It should have been picked up by VAR. And clearly, the outcome should have been a yellow card to Anderson, and a penalty kick to Sunderland.”

Mark Halsey said, as per SunSport: “Sunderland should have had a second-half penalty against Manchester City.

“When City led 3-2, Enzo Le Fee and Elliot Anderson challenged for a ball in the box.

“The latter deliberately moved his arm towards the ball and slapped it away.

“I am amazed Michael Salisbury on VAR did not recommend referee Rob Jones for a review.

“City were fortunate to get away with that and then Antoine Semenyo made it 4-2 minutes later.”

Speaking on Match of the Day, Kelly Cates said: “There was a moment of controversy. Regis Le Bris thought it was a handball by Elliot Anderson. The information that we’ve had from the referees is that it hits Enzo Le Fée’s hand first, and then the proximity to the ball, the natural body position, and all the things that they look at meant that it was too complicated for them to give the handball”. What do you think, Joe?”

Joe Hart: “Well, when I first saw it, I’ll be honest, I thought that Man City had got away with one. I felt like once the ball comes in here and Le Fée controls it, at first glance, I just see Elliot Anderson’s hand come through, and I think, how have they not given that?”

Kelly Cates: “It looks like he’s pushing the ball away, doesn’t it?”

Joe Hart: “It does, yeah. It really does. And even here we see—but I started to notice, the more I watched it, Le Fée’s hand is involved as well. I think this is the best angle here. We’ll see Le Fée brings it down; they’re both kind of reaching for the ball, and there, that is an unnatural position for me when it hits Le Fée’s hand.

It also hits Elliot Anderson’s hand before, but I think if the referee is going to give anything there, it’s a free kick to Manchester City because the first handball, if you like, is Le Fée. So I think that takes away from any shout that that’s a penalty.”

Man City head coach Enzo Maresca said, as per Sky Sports:

“A very good team, strong, dangerous, but again, we found a way to win the game. In this moment, that is important.

“I said in the press conference before the game that I expect a very tough game and we also conceded a few of the goals too easy, but we just started eight weeks ago. We’ve played all different games so we’ve learnt a lot.

“We’ve played seven official games and they’ve all been different, which is good because we learn from all of them.

“There were too many goals. I prefer to win 1-0, it’s much better!”

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