Jozy Altidore will have to wait a little longer to score his first goal for Sunderland in the Premier League after referee Martin Atkinson robbed the striker of a crucial goal Saturday afternoon. With Sunderland trailing Arsenal 2-1 in the second half, Altidore tangled with Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna, who attempted to hold the American back. Altidore broke free of Sagna just outside the penalty area and eased a shot past Wojciech Szczesny that trickled over the goal line just before it was cleared away — but Atkinson did not allow the goal to stand. The referee ruled that Altidore was fouled outside the box, but did not play an advantage to Sunderland, nullifying the goal.
Unsurprisingly, some of Altidore’s American colleagues were not too happy with the decision.
Terrible call by the referee! @JozyAltidore just had a goal stolen from him to level the game. Unlucky
— Oguchi Onyewu (@OguchiOnyewu5) September 14, 2013
Damn, @JozyAltidore just little boy’ed Sagna, scored and ref called it back. Unfortunate.
— Dax McCarty (@DaxMcCarty11) September 14, 2013
Aaron Ramsey scored his second goal of the game just moments after the incident, giving Arsenal a comfortable 3-1 lead.