Sunderland Reaction: Further referee frustration for Martinez

Last updated : 02 October 2012 By Paul Farrington

Martinez was left bemused as to why Jordi Gomez was sent off for a one-footed challenge on Sunderland left sided player Danny Rose, whilst Sebastian Larsson remained on the field for a two-footed lunge at Arouna Kone.

Speaking after the match, Martinez said: “I think it’s harsh – it’s harsh because Danny Rose loses the ball slightly. Jordi tackles as a striker tackles, showing the studs, but he never leaves the ground, it’s not a two-footed challenge.

“I can understand why the referee gave it, but I think it’s very, very harsh. My disappointment is that Larsson has made a worse tackle against Kone and is not even shown a yellow card.

“That’s just as you want as a manager – you want consistency for both teams. It’s down to the referee’s decision if he considers that challenge is a red card, but then every challenge in the same manner should be a red card.

“That’s the disappointment. At the moment, we are on the back of a few bad decisions and you just need to take it in football. It happens.

“You just hope that over the course of the season, you are going to get good calls coming in our favour even though now, we find it difficult to understand that’s going to happen.”

The Latics are set to face high flying Everton at home on Saturday with the league table starting to show the Latics in a familiar position. Despite all the positive going into the season it would appear to be much like the same old story.