Sunderland were left to rue a couple of controversial refereeing decisions as they lost 2-0 at Blackburn Rovers. The Black Cats felt they were denied a penalty when Jack Clarke was tripped by Ryan Hedges, and to add insult to injury Blackburn immediately went downfield and took the lead through Ben Brereton Diaz.
And Blackburn's second goal soon after half-time looked to be offside when Scott Wharton headed in from a free-kick. Those decisions - and the scoreline - spoilt Tony Mowbray's return to his former club, having spent five-and-a-half years in charge at Ewood Park before leaving in the summer.
Sunderland's best chance fell to Danny Batth in the second half, but his header was brilliantly saved by Thomas Kaminsky. Sunderland slipped three places to 12th in the table, while Blackburn moved to the top of the Championship.
