Wolves 1-1 Sunderland: The Black Cats earn draw despite Dan Ballard’s red card

Sunderland’s push for European football next season was dealt another huge blow, as Régis Le Bris’ side drew 1-1 with Wolves on Saturday.

Nordi Mukiele’s early goal gave Sunderland the lead at Molineux, before a controversial red-card for Dan Ballard gave the home side a way back into the game, which they took through Santiago Bueno to earn them a point.

Le Bris made two changes to his starting line-up with Habib Diarra and Chris Rigg dropping out – and Chemsdine Talbi and Trai Hume coming in.

Sunderland took the lead inside the opening 20 minutes, when Granit Xhaka’s corner found the head of Mukiele inside the six-yard box unmarked.

Only five minutes later, Sunderland were down to 10 when VAR saw Ballard pull the hair of Tolu Arokodare when they were both grappling.

With half-an-hour played, Wolves almost found their leveller.

A free-kick was not dealt with properly by the Black Cats and the ball was driven back into the box, deflecting off Bueno and into the path of Yerson Mosquera – but a remarkable challenge from Omar Alderete kept Sunderland ahead.

Wolves got their leveller shortly after the interval from another corner.

Hugo Bueno’s ball found Santiago Bueno at the back post and he was able to shrug off the challenge from Hume, before beating Robin Roefs.

The home side had a chance to take the lead, when Mateus Mane’s long-range effort was palmed away from Roefs to keep it 1-1.

They came close again with 80 minutes played when Adam Armstrong’s powerful header was tipped over the bar by Roefs.

Rob Edwards side almost won it in added time when a lofted ball found Armstrong, and his flicked header found Arokadare running in on goal at close range – but his first-time effort was off his knee and over the bar.

The result for Sunderland means that they now have mathematically secured their place in the Premier League for next season while it also keeps them in competition for a European place.