📸 Sunderland man becomes latest player to be sent off for hair pull 💈 | OneFootball

Sunderland lead at Wolves through a Nordi Mukiele goal, but another defender's rash decision has seen the Black Cats go down to 10 men before the half-time whistle. 

Dan Ballard has been a heroic figure in recent times, but not today, as he was shown red after just 24 minutes for pulling on the braids of Wolves forward Tolu Arokodare.

The Northern Ireland international protested his innocence, but after all the controversy surrounding Lisandro Martínez and Dominic Calvert-Lewin of late, he only has himself to blame. 

Ballard is not the first player to be sent off for pulling on Tolu's hair, with Everton's Michael Keane dismissed for the same offence back in January. 

Can Sunderland hold on for the win, or will the red card prove their downfall in the chase for Europe?

📸 Shaun Botterill - 2026 Getty Images