Newcastle United defender Daryl Janmaat has hit out at referee Robert Madley's decision to send off Fabricio Coloccini during Sunday's Wear-Tyne derby at the Stadium of Light.
The Argentine was dismissed in the closing seconds of the first half for bringing down Steven Fletcher in the box.
The Black Cats were also awarded a penalty, which was slotted home by Adam Johnson, and the hosts ended up claiming their sixth consecutive win over Newcastle with a 3-0 triumph.
"I think we were by far the better team in the first half, and then we get a red card like this - it was unbelievable," the Sunderland Echo quotes Janmaat as saying.
"I don't like to blame referees, but that was not a penalty. I think everybody saw it, and a red card is crazy in my opinion. It kills the game."
Steve McClaren's Newcastle side have claimed just one victory in 10 Premier League games.