After conceding nine goals across back-to-back losses, Sunderland managed to restore some confidence with an early opener at Molineux.
Wolves’ set-piece defending left a lot to be desired as Nordi Mukiele rose high at the back post to steer the ball in from Granit Xhaka’s inswinging corner.
However, Sunderland’s celebratory mood soon turned to one of frustration when referee Paul Tierney, after consultation with the pitch-side monitor, gave Dan Ballard his marching orders in the 24th minute for pulling the hair of forward Tolu Arokodare - the defender’s first red card since being dismissed for Blackpool in October 2020.
The depleted visitors managed to get through to the break unscathed, but they could not stop their hosts from pulling level inside the opening 10 minutes of the restart with a near-carbon copy of Sunderland’s opener.
Hugo Bueno’s deep corner found the towering Santiago Bueno, who guided his downward header in at the far post to net his third PL goal of the season.
Knowing a point would do little for their European aspirations, Sunderland showed great determination to push forward in a bid to restore their advantage, despite being a man light.
Xhaka threatened with an effort from outside the box that fizzed past Dan Bentley’s left post in what proved to be one of the last meaningful chances of the contest.
Regis Le Bris’s charges ultimately had to settle for a draw that leaves them in 12th spot and three points adrift of the top seven with just three games left to play.
As for Wolves, they ended a run of three consecutive defeats, but Roefs’ late save from Adam Armstrong’s powerful header denied them their first win since the start of March.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Nordi Mukiele (Sunderland)
Catch up on the match here.
Key stats
- Sunderland have failed to win their last three games in the Premier League; their last longer winless streak was from 7th February 2026 to 28th February 2026, a run of four games
- Granit Xhaka has assisted six goals in the Premier League this season (1 in this game), more than any other Sunderland player
- Wolves attempted 20 shots in this game, their highest total in a single match in the Premier League this season