Sam Allardyce brands Yann M'Vila's tackle 'stupid' in Sunderland defeat
Saturday 7 November 2015 19:07, UK
Sam Allardyce branded Yann M'Vila's decision to commit a foul in the penalty area "stupid" as Sunderland lost 1-0 to Southampton.
M'Vila slid in on Ryan Bertrand to concede a second-half penalty that Dusan Tadic duly slotted home to settle Saturday's Premier League clash at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland have now lost three of their four matches since Allardyce took over and remain in the relegation zone on just six points after 12 games.
The manager admitted his team had been second-best in the game against Saints, but was frustrated with the decision making of his players.
"They [our defence] kept us in the game until we gave away the stupid penalty," said Allardyce.
"Until we start cutting out silly mistakes like that, we'll be fighting at the wrong end of the table. Yes, Southampton were the better team and had the better chances, but we've got to stop gifting games to the opposition.
"The game was 0-0 at that point, and who knows, we might have broken up the other end and nicked a winner. If we came in at 0-0, I'd have been very happy today based on the performance we gave."
Sunderland failed to create many meaningful chances in the game but did have a strong appeal for a penalty turned down late on when substitute Jack Rodwell's header hit Maya Yoshida on the arm.
Allardyce felt it was a decision that went against his side, which could have had an outcome on the final result.
"I can say we have defended very well today against a very good side, but it's hinged on two decisions," he said.
"It was a definitely a penalty we gave away. But Yoshida's handball in the box hasn't been given. Irrespective on what's gone in between - we didn't play as well as I'd like - that decisions may have meant we had overcome a disappointing end in terms of giving the penalty away.
"Yoshida has definitely lifted his arm and the ball has hit him on the arm... whether Mike can see it from his position, I don't know. That decision could have given us an opportunity, whether we deserved it or not."
