Sunderland marked their return from the international break in style, sealing a confident 2-0 victory over Wolves to extend their unbeaten home run to four Premier League games this season.
The result maintained the Black Cats’ strong start at the Stadium of Light, where they’ve now collected 10 points from a possible 12, their best home opening since the 1968/69 campaign.
Despite a reputation for sluggish openings, having netted just once before halftime in the league this term, Régis Le Bris’ men wasted no time asserting themselves.
Wilson Isidor thought he had given Sunderland an early lead with a sharp finish at the near post, but VAR intervened to rule it out.
The setback did little to disrupt their rhythm, however, and they deservedly broke through in the 16th minute.
Full-backs Nordi Mukiele and Trai Hume executed a slick one-two that sliced open the Wolves defence, with Mukiele calmly slotting home his first goal for the club.
The hosts continued to press, nearly doubling their advantage when Mukiele’s long throw was flicked on by Dan Ballard into Hume’s path, but the defender’s diving header grazed the outside of the post.
Wolves struggled to impose themselves, their attacks repeatedly stifled by a disciplined Sunderland backline.
Manager Vítor Pereira saw some improvement after the interval, but his frustration grew as his side’s few promising moves fizzled out in the final third.
Substitute Tolu Arokodare summed up their evening when he missed a rare late opening.
Sunderland eventually sealed the win in fortuitous fashion when Ladislav Krejci inadvertently turned the ball into his own net while attempting to intercept a cross.
It wasn’t the most dominant display from Le Bris’ men, but it was more than enough to please the home crowd and keep their impressive early-season momentum intact.
For Wolves, however, the defeat leaves them rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table, still searching for their first win of the campaign.
