Luke O'Nien has taken to social media to apologise to Sunderland fans following his costly red card against Swansea City. The defender was sent off just 18 minutes into the match against the Swans at the Stadium of Light, with referee Keith Stroud dismissing him for a mistimed challenge with excessive force on Oli Cooper.
It was a turning point in the game as, up to that point, Sunderland had been the better side but once they were forced to play for more than three-quarters of the match shorthanded, Swansea dominated possession and eventually ran out 3-1 winners. The straight red card means O'Nien will now serve three-game ban, ruling him out of next Sunday's home game against Middlesbrough, the FA Cup fourth round tie at Fulham, and then the home league game against Millwall.
O'Nien's post on Twitter read: "I usually enjoy a hard tackle but today I slightly mistimed it and it cost the boys. I feel disappointed in myself and I'm gutted for the boys as we set up well for 30 mins and believe our tactics were spot on to that point.
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"I was proud of the lads to see them keep fighting while down to ten men. I will learn from this and when I come back from suspension I'll make sure that l'm a smarter and better player and will continue to give my all for the team and the fans."
With O'Nien missing, Danny Batth is likely to return to the starting XI alongside Dan Ballard next weekend. Joel Piroe put Swansea ahead just after half-time, before Dan Neil levelled for the Black Cats midway through the second period.
But an unlucky ricochet saw Swansea go back in front through Luke Cullen just minutes later, before Cooper added the visitors' third goal 12 minutes from time.
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