10 Most Controversial Premier League Moments

9. Darren Bent Joins The Beach Boys

Sunderland striker Darren Bent was handily placed 15 yards out as a cross from the right got flicked into his path and everything appeared normal at the Stadium of Light.

The deadly forward then aimed a first-time right-footed attempt directly towards Pepe Reina’s goal. A large object in Reina’s eyeline took the brunt of the shot sending whatever it was to the ‘keeper’s right, while the football itself was diverted to his left.

Unfortunately, the Spaniard became mightily confused by this unusual set of circumstances, and followed the path of the unknown object, as the net rippled behind him making it 1-0 to the home side.

According to the rules, the referee should stop the game due to any outside interference, including ‘foreign objects’ such as the beach ball – as it turned out – in question. Due to his oversight in approving such a controversial goal, red-faced official Mike Jones was demoted to a Championship fixture next time out between Peterborough United and Scunthorpe United.

Laughably, it was a Liverpool supporter who inadvertently cost his team by chucking the inflatable on in the first place.