‘He’s gotten lucky’ – Ex-Premier League referee reacts to Dan Ballard call during Brighton vs Sunderland

Referee experts have weighed in on Dan Ballard’s Brighton challenge after VAR backed the on-field call
Sunderland defender Dan Ballard was fortunate to escape with only a yellow card during Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Brighton after a second-half challenge that was reviewed by VAR. That’s according to former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher

The incident occurred when Ballard lunged in on Brighton forward Charalampos Kostoulas, catching the winger as he attempted to regain possession. Referee Darren England showed a yellow card, and following a VAR check, that decision was allowed to stand.

Gallagher believes Ballard was fortunate not to see red, though he acknowledged why the officials stopped short of upgrading the punishment. “I think he’s gotten lucky. If you were starting out as a referee, I would say to you that the player has lost control of the ball, and his first priority is to get it back quickly. Often when players do that, they lunge. He lunges with his left foot, which I don’t think is the right foot to tackle with. Where he gets lucky is that he just gets him across the foot. He doesn’t quite get his ankle.”

Gallagher’s view was echoed by former Premier League striker Jay Bothroyd, who also felt the margin between a yellow and a red card was extremely fine. “That is a physical challenge. He’s nipped the ball. He’s fortunate that his foot doesn’t land on [Kostoulas’] leg. If it does, then it’s an awful challenge. The fact that he has skimmed his leg is what saves him.”

VAR ultimately judged that while the tackle was forceful, it did not meet the threshold for serious foul play due to the point of contact, with Ballard avoiding a direct impact on the ankle. The decision ensured Sunderland were not reduced to 10 men during a period of late Brighton pressure, allowing Régis Le Bris’ side to hold on for a clean sheet and a valuable Premier League point.

What did Régis Le Bris say after the game against Brighton?
Le Bris felt Sunderland’s point away at Brighton was a deserved one after his side stood firm during a sustained spell of late pressure from the hosts. Sunderland enjoyed long periods of control despite travelling south without several players due to Africa Cup of Nations call-ups.

Brighton, however, were also missing key figures through injury, suspension and illness, and it was the home side who finished the stronger as the game wore on. While Sunderland were unable to capitalise on their chances earlier in the contest, Le Bris took encouragement from the way his players defended their penalty area to preserve a clean sheet.

“A draw was probably a fair result,” Le Bris said. “The atmosphere in the dressing room was a bit disappointed [that we didn’t win], which was a good sign for the future. We had two parts to the game. Until 65 or 70 minutes, we were dominant, especially for a team playing away from home.

“We showed good qualities, great character. We were controlling the ball, and we had opportunities to score during this period. But when you don’t score away when you have those opportunities, you can expect that the opponent will push until the end.

“They did well during the last 20 or 25 minutes. We stayed consistent with our deep block and kept this clean sheet. They crossed a lot, as expected, so we were prepared for that. We have players who are really determined to defend the box and the goal, and they did that. They defended well.”