Rotherham’s Michael Ihiekwe produces a Robin van Persie-esque own goal to gift Sunderland a late draw at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday.
The Millers’ hopes of all but securing an automatic promotion place took a huge blow in a unique fashion as Ihiekwe, who was named in the League One team of the season at the EFL Awards on Sunday, headed in an 88th-minute own goal.
Having opened the scoring from a corner at the other end in the first half, Ihiekwe sent the ball into his own net as he attempted to deal with Jack Clarke’s cross. The result means Rotherham are one point clear of third-placed MK Dons ahead of the final weekend.
Will this cost Rotherham United the League One title?! 🏆❌
Michael Ihiekwe’s 88th-minute own goal secured Sunderland a 1-1 draw – leaving #RUFC two points behind Wigan with one game left 👀 pic.twitter.com/M6XylJ7PYB
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 27, 2022
Sunderland are one point clear of seventh-placed Wycombe, meaning their play-off position is not yet guaranteed ahead of their final day trip to Morecambe.
Rotherham went into the game knowing a win would all but guarantee them a top-two finish, and the Millers started like a side determined to prevent a nervy final weekend.
They opened the scoring 17 minutes in, with Ihiekwe rising unopposed to power home a header from Dan Barlaser’s corner.
Ben Wiles almost added a second goal with a shot that whistled just wide of the post, and Rotherham’s first-half dominance was further underlined when Jordi Osei-Tutu wriggled into space on the edge of the area, only to drag his low shot just past the upright.
Corry Evans fired a shot over at the start of the second half as Sunderland briefly threatened.
But the Millers would have doubled their lead shortly after the hour mark had Richard Wood not directed a thumping header straight at Black Cats goalkeeper Anthony Patterson.
It proved a crucial miss as Ihiekwe’s late own goal ensured his side were pegged back. The defender had plenty of time to deal with Clarke’s centre, but fired an unstoppable header into the roof of his own net.
Rotherham’s own goal last night was Robin van Persie-esque 🤣
Why did he appeal after? 😭
🎥 @KyleDonSAFCpic.twitter.com/DP54Ss1sqY
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) April 27, 2022
“I thought we deserved a point,” The Black Cats boss Alex Neil said, via Sunderland Echo.
“I thought they had moments in the game and we had moments in the game, I thought it was fairly even.
“We knew how the game was going to pan out. My biggest frustration is the goal we conceded. We went with a big, strong team because we knew that set plays were going to be an issue, that direct balls were going to be an issue.
“The first goal comes from us losing three headers on the bounce, from a goal kick, from the thrown in and then from the corner. It’s something we focused on before the game and we knew they would have that threat.
“The plan was always to compete, be big and strong for 60 minutes, they’re the best pressing team in the league and they don’t let you play.
“The game is always going to loosen up in the last 30 minutes. We brought some of the other lads on to move the ball a bit quicker, a bit cleaner, to try and win the game.
“We had a couple of chances, Luke flashing a couple of good crosses across the box, Pritch’s free kick, and the goal happens because Ross is coming in at the back stick.
“It wasn’t going to be a game full of chances, it was never going to be like Saturday.
“These teams don’t allow you to pop it about, you beat them by going up, back and through. We didn’t link the ball well enough in the first half but from the second half, I think we deserved a point.”
Alex Neil reflects on tonight’s draw with Rotherham United.
Full interview… 📺👇 pic.twitter.com/sfU6oPoVgA
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) April 26, 2022
Rotherham boss Paul Warne said: “When you’re 1-0 up, you’re always vulnerable. Obviously, Sunderland were throwing the kitchen sink and rightfully so.
“I thought we rode the pressure quite well, we just needed that second goal which we didn’t get and then you’re always susceptible to that one ball or slashed clearance and unfortunately, it just wasn’t meant to be.
“I’ve said to the lads then that I’m really proud of them. I love them and they’re amazing kids.
“They’re devastated but I’m a fatalist and if it isn’t meant to be, it isn’t meant to be.
“I thought it was a really good game in a great atmosphere.
“I told the lads beforehand that if they are going to get promoted then if you do it at somewhere like Sunderland it will stick with you forever.
“I told them that the date 26th April might be something that connects them forever.
“It would be some feat for us to get promotion to the Championship from the hardest League One I’ve ever seen.
“I thought we played with a real confidence and there were some really good performances.
“Take nothing away from Sunderland, I thought they probably deserved a draw.
“It is sore at the moment, don’t get me wrong.
“We now go into the final day. It’s a bit of a rollercoaster, but it is why everyone loves the game.”
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