Premier League: Gus Poyet admits Connor Wickham could have been sent off

Gus Poyet admitted Connor Wickham could have been sent off for his trip on Seamus Coleman for Everton’s match-saving penalty.

Toffees boss Roberto Martinez was furious Wickham was not shown a red card for the challenge on Coleman in the box which led to the spot-kick scored by Leighton Baines to give the visitors a 1-1 draw.

Sebastian Larsson had earlier put Sunderland ahead with a free-kick but Everton dominated possession and drew level after a clumsy challenge by Wickham which dominated the post-match debate

Opposite number Poyet had some sympathy with the Spaniard, and admitted referee Lee Mason might have been caught in two minds.

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He said: "Me, I am the type of person that on those decisions, I like black or white.

"Now I understand the referee sometimes - they explain it to me, I'm not saying what I say - they say there was a little bit of contact, but not enough to give a free-kick, so it's not a dive. I think it's a way out, really, so yellow or foul.

"The penalty was given and I think from the position of the referee, it was an easy decision to make. When you don't know for real if it's that clear, sometimes referees go 50-50, 'I'll give you the penalty, but I won't send off the player'.

"For me, it's black or white: penalty, red or nothing. We can talk for ages. I would give it, I need to be honest, if I was on the pitch and I was the referee, I would give it."

Sunderland went into the game with a growing confidence after their 3-1 win at Crystal Palace and although they were forced to settle for a draw, Poyet was pleased with the outcome.

“We competed well,” he said. “The difference between us and Everton was in possession of the ball. Roberto Martinez wants them to play football and so we had to concede a bit of possession to be a bit stronger.

“Overall I’m pleased with how we did and pleased to pick up a point.”

Poyet also confirmed after the game that left-back Patrick van Aanholt requires surgery on a shoulder injury suffered in the Palace game, and will be out for around three months.

“Unfortunately Patrick is going to need an operation which means he is going to be out for two and a half to three months,”’ Poyet said.

“It is a big loss because he is a left-footed left-back and there are not too many of them in the world, but we will help him and we will have to cope with it.”

“I am really looking forward to seeing a few players back within the international break.”