Aji Alese had to endure an agonising wait for confirmation that he had scored his first senior goal at the weekend in Sunderland's draw at Watford. The Black Cats defender was sure his shot had crossed the line before Hamza Choudhury could clear, but he could only start celebrating when referee John Busby blew his whistle and pointed to his watch indicating that goalline technology had confirmed the goal.
The goal came on the stroke of half-time, and it cancelled out Keinan Davis' opener meaning the sides went in at the break on level terms. Asked about the decision, summer signing from West Ham Alese said: "It was a tight one but as I hit the shot I thought it went in and I wanted to spin off and celebrate but I had to wait until the whistle blew and the ref pointed at his watch then we could start the celebrations.
"I think when I was growing up watching football that goal wouldn't have been given, maybe the lino wouldn't have seen it or the ref wouldn't have had a good angle. Technology can definitely help.
