Sunderland returned to the top of the Sky Bet Championship after Wilson Isidor’s third goal in four matches sealed a hard-fought 1-0 win at Hull.
Isidor showed a clean pair of heels as Sunderland turned defence into attack, with the on-loan Zenit St Petersburg striker dispatching past Hull goalkeeper Ivor Pandur in the 63rd minute at MKM Stadium.
The game’s decisive moment was tinged with controversy as Marvin Mehlem seemed to be obstructed by referee Robert Madley before losing the ball, which led to the opener.
However, as Madley did not touch the ball, play was allowed to continue, with Dan Neil winning possession on the edge of Sunderland’s area and setting Isidor free, as the goal stood.
Hull’s sense of injustice had earlier been piqued by a couple of first-half decisions going against them but they were unable to find a leveller as the Black Cats moved back above Burnley in the table.
The visitors were well below their best – and might have fallen behind as Chris Bedia rattled the bar in the second half – but they did just enough on a blustery afternoon in East Yorkshire.
Sunderland set out their stall to attack but were largely frustrated by their opponents sitting deep, and Dennis Cirkin may have given away a penalty on another day for a shove in the box on Mehlem.
Isidor had the only effort on target in the first half but it was a fluffed snapshot that bobbled to Pandur. Sunderland, though, continued to push on as Cirkin’s attempt deflected over.
When Hull countered, their hesitancy in the final third let them down as Abu Kamara failed to play in Mohamed Belloumi in plenty of space while Bedia cut on to his left foot instead of shooting.
Jobe Bellingham had Pandur scrambling with a long-range effort that whistled past the right post while Hull’s protests when Chris Mepham seemed to handle the ball just outside the area fell on deaf ears.
Boos at the decision going against Hull greeted the half-time whistle but the home crowd had more to cheer shortly after the resumption as Belloumi let fly from distance, narrowly missing the top corner.
Hull continued their bright start to the half as the lively Kamara broke forward, with his pass deflecting to Bedia, who worked into space in the area before rifling a left-foot shot against the bar.
Against the run of play, Sunderland took the lead from a lightning breakaway as Neil dispossessed Mehlem and freed Isidor, who bounded forward, shrugged off last man Cody Drameh and lifted the ball over Pandur.
The goal stood, much to Hull’s chagrin as Mehlem appeared to be impeded by on-field official Madley moments before surrendering possession, and defender Alfie Jones and coach Julian Hubner were booked for protesting against the decision.
Isidor was replaced with a quarter of an hour left as former Hull striker Aaron Connolly was introduced for a Sunderland debut against his former club but he was unable to make much of an impact.
Hull – who did not manage a single effort on target – were lacklustre after going behind before boos rang around the ground at the full-time whistle, with the officials receiving the biggest jeers as they left the pitch.
The managers
Hull boss Tim Walter to Sky Sports:
“He (the referee) apologised for the situation, but it doesn’t help me for the moment. We lost the game because of this situation. And also in the first half there was a clear red card because he played the ball with the hand.
“But it is like lit is, it’s an old song, it’s always the same LP, you repeat it every time, but it is like it is. We have to accept it, but I am really proud of my boys, they did a good job against a top team to be honest.
“We were on the same level, but if you are top of the league maybe you have more luck than we have at the moment. But we defended well and created chances. It is like it is but we have to accept it.”
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris to Sky Sports:
“It was a tough game away, it was difficult.
“It was difficult (for Isidor) because he ran for 45-60 metres in the end, and he needed to make a good decision, and he did it very well.
“I think this is one of his main qualities. So, it wasn’t a surprise for me – it might be a surprise for the Championship, but for me it was not a surprise because he has the ability to repeat and multiply this action and express his strengths.”
