With a 2-1 victory at Hillsborough, Eliezer Mayenda troubled Sheffield Wednesday once more as his contentious brace helped Sunderland increase their chances of automatic promotion in the Championship.

The Spaniard scored two goals in the Black Cats’ 4-0 victory against Wednesday in August, and he scored both goals on Friday night, including a controversial first goal, to put his team within five points of Sheffield United, who are now in second place.

After 34 minutes, Mayenda opened the score after the hosts’ early penalty claim was dismissed.

Callum Paterson headed home three minutes after the restart thanks to Chris Mepham’s hesitancy, but Mayenda’s header from a fantastic Trai Hume cross in the 71st minute made sure Sunderland got back to winning ways following back-to-back league losses.

After the contentious defeat, Danny Rohl reaffirmed his support for the league’s use of VAR.

“I think I’ve made my clear statements over the last three weeks,” Rohl said when asked where VAR should be introduced in England’s second tier.

“What we should do is help the refs on the pitch, especially now I think every week we have a big, big decision against us.

“Two easy conceded goals and then two big decision against us, and in the end we stay here and lose 2-1.

“Before the 1-0, there is a handball, a handball in the box from the opponent, but the ref doesn’t see it.

“Everybody will see it, everybody could see it, but I can’t decide the situation. This is maybe why we need support for refs on the pitch.”

Regis Le Bris, the manager of Sunderland, celebrated a significant victory that kept the Black Cats in fourth place.

“It was a really important win this evening because after two defeats we had to react and I think we showed character,” the man from France stated.

“Our only goal is to win games and after that, we will see (how) the dynamic of the top three (will play out).

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