Sunderland 2 (Mukiele 16, Krejci OG 90+2) Wolves 0
Wolves’ frustrating wait for a Premier League win continued as a goal in each half subjected Vitor Pereira’s side to defeat at Sunderland.
After a three-match unbeaten run, the Old Gold felt a corner was being turned, but once Nordri Mukiele’s first-half effort squeezed past Sam Johnstone, they needed to come from behind.
The Old Gold had much of the ball second half, and carved out a series of big chances, but couldn’t find a moment of quality when it mattered, and Ladislav Krejci’s unfortunate own goal late on compounded the misery at the Stadium of the Light.
The fixture was Wolves’ first visit to Sunderland since 2018 and, aside from the opening goal, it was a tight first 45. Both Marhsall Munetsi and Mukiele dragged shots wide for their sides in the opening five minutes.
The Black Cats then thought they’d grabbed the lead on ten minutes. Wilson Isidor thought he’d timed his run off the back of Santiago Bueno to perfection, before rifling into the top corner impressively at Johnstone’s near post, but up went the flag to let Wolves off.
However, they wouldn’t be denied and seven minutes later the hosts were in front. Trai Hume was given time and space to thread a through ball in for Mukiele, and his first time, side-footed effort squeezed between the legs of Johnstone and into the net.
It could have been two soon after as well. Mukiele's long throws were causing Wolves problems and when Dan Ballard flicked the latest one on to the back post, Hume headed against the outside of the post.
Having ridden the storm, Wolves began to regain a level of control and Jhon Arias’ whipped free-kick from a tight angle was deflected on to the roof of the net by the Black Cats defence. Wolves continued to press as the half wore on but failed to turn possession into shooting positions.
Half-time | Sunderland 1-0 Wolves
The second half was a story of possession, big chances, but more disappointment for the Old Gold, who straight after the break had Joao Gomes drag wide following Munetsi’s chest down – the first of a series of big openings.
Rodrigo Gomes then shot over at the near post, before Munetsi lashed over at the back post, following a Joao Gomes cross. Robin Roefs was then called into action to palm away a Munetsi volley, which he connected well with on the fall.
Jackson Tchatchoua was one of a number of introductions as the half wore on, but when he was sent clean through on 86 minutes, he lacked the composure and scuffed his shot wide.
Both Tolu Arkokodare and Jorgen Strang Larsen had half chances to net themselves late on, but the sucker punch arrived. On the counter attack, Chemsoine Talbi’s cross was inadvertently put into his own net by Krejci, who’d done so well to make up the ground, but wrong-footed Johnstone for the crucial second.
Full-time | Sunderland 2-0 Wolves
Sunderland | Roefs, Hume, Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Xhaka, Rigg (Geertruida 76), Sadiki (Neil 90), Traore (Talbi 63), Le Fe, Isidor (Mayenda 76).
Unused subs | Patterson, Masuaku, Adingra, O’Nien, Brobbey.
Wolves | Johnstone, Doherty (Hoever 67), S Bueno, Krejci, H Bueno, Andre, J Gomes (Lopez 76), Munetsi, R Gomes (Arokodare 76), Arias (Tchatchoua 77), Strand Larsen.
Unused subs | Sa, Wolfe, Agbadou, Toti, Mosquera.
