Tommy Doyle's controversial goal cost Sunderland a point as Sheffield United came from behind at the Stadium of Light to tighten their grip on an automatic promotion place. The Black Cats took the lead on the half-hour as Edouard Michut scored his first goal for the club, but on-loan Manchester City midfielder James McAtee levelled for the Blades in first-half stoppage time.
But the key moment came on the hour when Doyle's free-kick found it's way through a crowded penalty area and into the net, with Sander Berge - who was one of three players standing in an offside position - waving a leg at the ball and while he did not make contact, it meant the flag should have gone up against him. Instead the goal stood, and that meant the Blades completed the turnaround although Patrick Roberts came close to an equaliser when he struck the post.
Defeat meant Sunderland slipped to 12th in the table, and the gap between themselves and the play-off spots now stands at eight points. Tony Mowbray named an unchanged starting XI, sticking with the same players that won at Norwich City on Sunday.
