---
title: "Allardyce furious at Atkinson"
canonical: "https://readsunderland.com/2015/10/17/allardyce-furious-atkinson/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Chris Sparks"
section: "Articles"
published: "2015-10-17T17:19:36Z"
modified: "2015-10-17T17:19:36Z"
---

# Allardyce furious at Atkinson

Sam Allardyce was a frustrated figure as a shocking referee decision cost his new Sunderland side a point today. The Black Cats lost 1-0 to West Brom at the Hawthorns, but it wasn’t without controversy, as Saido Berahino fouled keeper Costel Pantilimon twice before poking the ball in from a yard out. The Wearsiders now head into next weekend’s Tyne-Wear derby still searching for their first win of the season. Allardyce could not hide his frustration at the decision after the match:

> “We have had a point taken away from us today which wasn’t our fault. In our position that’s a hugely precious point, even at this stage of the season.

> “It’s a big mistake by the referee. It was a clear foul in two areas. One, he (Berahino) has jumped backwards into our goalkeeper when he is not even looking at the ball and two, he handled the ball in front of him to score.”

> “The first half performance was pretty pleasing and we had the better of the opportunities to take the lead. I thought we defended very well, which in the past, before I came here, was the biggest weakness in the team.

> “I thought that we didn’t look like conceding a goal, but unfortunately in the second half we’ve had a very valuable point taken away from us. From an attacking point of view, I wasn’t quite as satisfied in the second half as I was in the first, but overall it was a reasonably good performance.

> “We need to cut out conceding silly goals and when we do we’ll start winning and drawing. I thought we deserved to take a point away from the game today. It is a disappointing result but there’s plenty to build on.”