Sunderland’s key moments at Wolves as safety sealed after 1-1 draw | OneFootball

Sunderland drew 1-1 at Wolves, securing Premier League safety but prolonging the wait for their 2,000th league win.

Sunderland Echo notes that Régis Le Bris’s side began the weekend 12th on 46 points from 34 games, one behind Everton, with Wolves bottom on 17. Historically, Sunderland lead this fixture with 50 wins to 41, alongside 32 draws.

Le Bris refreshed his XI after the Nottingham Forest defeat. Enzo Le Fée moved centrally, Chemsdine Talbi returned on the left, Reinildo came in and Trai Hume operated in a hybrid role ahead of Nordi Mukiele. Habib Diarra dropped to the bench, with Jocelin Ta Bi among the substitutes.

An early scare saw Mukiele leave the pitch for treatment to a hand problem, but he soon headed Sunderland in front from a Granit Xhaka corner. Dan Ballard was then sent off on 24 minutes after VAR advised Paul Tierney to review an off-the-ball incident, with the referee ruling he had pulled an opponent’s hair.

Wolves levelled from a 54th-minute corner, the third set-piece conceded by Sunderland in two games. A possible foul on Mohamed Sadiki was checked, but VAR did not intervene, and Xhaka was booked for dissent soon after.

Brian Brobbey had a leg scare on 64 minutes but continued. On 72, Le Bris introduced Diarra, Dennis Cirkin and Wilson Isidor for Sadiki, Reinildo and Brobbey, and the contest petered out at 1-1.

Safety is now assured, a significant achievement after low pre-season expectations, though another set-piece concession will irk. Sunderland host Manchester United next, then visit Everton before welcoming Chelsea, with a European push still just about alive.

Source: Sunderland Echo