Controversies Held Supreme as Sunderland defeated Liverpool 1-0

Controversies played a major part in the game, as Sunderland came off strong at the Stadium of Lights against a Liverpool side, which was without the services of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

It took the Black Cats only 5 minutes to grab the lead, as Darren Bent got the back of the Reds net, as his shot went past Pepe Reina. Controversies were all around that goal, as the shot from Bent got a deflection from a Beach Ball that made it difficult for Reina to catch hold of the ball. However, referee Mike Jones could not overturn the ruling and had to rule it in the favor of the home side.

Even though they were a shadow of a side of what they were last season without Gerrard and Torres, Reds had their moment. Babel and Kuyt kept attacking, but Scot International Craig Gordon kept saving fierce shots.

Sunderland Manager, Steve Bruce, had a feud with his counterpart, Rafael Benitez, during the game, as both Lee Cattermole and Kenwyne Jones were treated on the pitch, which killed time and made it more difficult for the visitors to keep the momentum and score an equalizer.