Sunderland given VAR explanation after fury at overturned goal vs Nottingham Forest

Sunderland have been told why Daniel Ballard’s goal was disallowed during the Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest on Friday night. Ballard thought he got a goal back for Regis Le Bris’ side at the Stadium of Light, only for the effort to be ruled out for a foul in the build-up. Sunderland had conceded four first-half goals to Forest to go into the interval 4-0 down in a game that saw the Black Cats looking to climb the table in their bid to qualify for Europe. Instead, an own goal from Trai Hume, as well as strikes from Chris Wood, Morgan Gibbs-White and Igor Jesus, handed Forest the advantage on Wearside. Le Bris’ side battled back in the second half and thought they got a goal back in the 61st minute with a close-range finish from Ballard. However, following a VAR check, the effort was ruled out due to a foul from Nordi Mukiele on Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels. The Premier League’s official Match Centre account on X stated that Ballard’s goal for Sunderland was ruled out because of a foul from Mukiele, which included quotes from referee Darren England who announced the decision inside the Stadium of Light. “After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of goal to Sunderland,” the post read. “Referee announcement: ‘After review, Sunderland No.20 commits a tripping offence on the Nottingham Forest goalkeeper. Final decision is a disallowed goal and a free kick’.” Sunderland went on to lose the game 5-0, with Elliot Anderson getting on the score sheet in the closing minutes of the match. JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football's Facebook page The defeat which leaves the Black Cats in 11th place in the Premier League table but could drop further down the standings depending on how results across the league fare over the weekend. Forest’s win moves them further clear of the relegation zone, as they remain in 16th place and six points clear of 17th-placed West Ham and eight ahead of Tottenham Hotspur, who are 18th and occupy the final relegation spot still to be decided. Burnley and Wolves have already been confirmed as relegated to the Championship, with one more club still to be confirmed as finishing in the bottom three in the Premier League this season. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us - and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're cu rious, you can read our Privacy Notice .