Just as Jason Lowe has cemented himself as the Suspension Tightrope poster boy in the last few months, referee Mike Dean is fast becoming his equivalent for the Men in Black column. The Wirral-based official was once again in the headlines, with a flurry of cards and couple of spot-kicks in Sunday’s ill-tempered showdown at the Sports Direct Arena.
Not content with six cautions inside the first 25 minutes of the Tyne-Wear derby, the action packed game eventually finished with Dean showing nine yellow cards and two straight reds for the visitors, in addition to the anticipated penalty.
Fantasy favourite Stéphane Sessègnon was the first to receive his marching orders; the Benin international was dismissed for striking Newcastle’s Chieck Tioté and will now begin a three-match suspension, ruling him out of the upcoming league matches against Liverpool and Blackburn, as well as the FA Cup tie with Everton. Sessegnon will be available for the Gameweek 30 home clash against QPR.
Black Cats skipper Lee Cattermole is out for even longer, though, with the club confirming earlier today he is set to serve a four-match suspension. Cattermole went into yesterday’s game sitting on nine bookings and his first-minute minute caution for a foul on Tioté meant he was due to receive a two-match suspension for accruing 10 yellows. After the final whistle, however, the combative midfielder picked up a straight red card for foul and abusive language towards Dean, earning himself another automatic two-match ban. Cattermole will now miss the league games against Liverpool, Blackburn and QPR, in addition to the Everton FA Cup game, and will be available for selection for the Gameweek 31 trip to Man City.
While many may feel Cattermole’s absence could affect the Black Cats resilience, a look at the stats since Martin O’Neill’s arrival perhaps indicates otherwise. Sunderland have played eight games with Cattermole in the starting line-up, returning 2 clean sheets and conceding 10 goals, while in the five games he has missed for the new manager, the Wearsiders have returned 2 clean sheets and conceded 4 goals, with Jack Colback proving a more than able deputy.
Also troubling the FA disciplinary section this weekend was Swansea midfielder Nathan Dyer. The winger’s studs up challenge on Jordi Gomez was deemed worthy of a straight red card by referee Andre Marriner, meaning that Dyer will now miss home games against Man City and Everton and the trip to in-form Fulham. With the club confirming they will not be appealing the decision earlier this afternoon, Dyer’s absence should afford Wayne Routledge a fresh chance to add to his Premier League minutes over the next few matches.
GAMEWEEK 28 BANS
- Nathan Dyer (SWA) – 1 Red for serious foul play (first of 3 matches)
- Lee Cattermole (SUN) – 1 Yellow takes season tally to 10 bookings. 1 red for foul and abusive language (first of 4 matches)
- Stéphane Sessègnon (SUN) – 1 Red for violent conduct (first of 3 matches)
