Sunderland held by Wolves as Ballard sees red, safety secured and selection calls loom | OneFootball

Sunderland drew 1-1 at Molineux, a red card for Dan Ballard for a hair pull dominating a contest that otherwise confirmed safety with three games remaining.

Sunderland Echo notes the achievement carried a hint of anti-climax, with frustration focused on the dismissal and two points dropped.

Régis Le Bris’ side started on top against a low block and were clinical when Wolves erred, Nordi Mukiele scoring from a corner after a swift break. Ballard was dismissed midway through the first half for pulling an opponent’s hair. Wolves equalised from a set piece early in the second period.

No one disputes hair pulling cannot be tolerated, particularly when a player is running away. Yet treating accidental contact as violent conduct, and handing a three-game ban, feels excessive, while VAR again re-refereed a moment that would previously have passed unnoticed rather than correcting a clear and obvious error.

Even so, Sunderland managed the game well with ten men and still pushed late on, showing the response Le Bris wanted after Nottingham Forest. They have twice this season played most of a match a man light and still taken something.

An appeal may be considered but precedent suggests slim prospects, leaving Le Bris with choices for the final three fixtures. Luke O’Nien could return at centre-back or Mukiele could shift inside, with Trai Hume and Lutsharel Geertruida then competing at right-back, a scenario that might hint at Geertruida’s longer-term plans if he misses out. Moving Enzo Le Fée back centrally looked a plus, and Le Bris might seek a more attacking right-sided option to complement Chemsdine Talbi.

Source: Sunderland Echo