Mukiele strike and late own goal keep Sunderland soaring as Wolves’ wait for a win goes on

Sunderland maintained their fine start to the Premier League season with a 2-0 victory over winless Wolves at the Stadium of Light. Nordi Mukiele’s composed first‑half finish, crafted from a slick one-two with Trai Hume, put Régis Le Bris’s side in front before stoppage time brought the clincher, when Ladislav Krejci inadvertently diverted Chemsdine Talbi’s delivery past his own goalkeeper.

The result lifts Sunderland to seventh and makes it three wins from four home games, yielding 10 points at the Stadium of Light — their best top‑flight home start since 1968–69 (adjusted to three points for a win). It is also their fourth win in eight since promotion, taking them to 14 points. For Wolves, a sixth defeat in eight leaves Vítor Pereira’s side bottom and still seeking a first league victory.

A fast start and a full‑back’s finish

An early warning of Sunderland’s intent arrived when Wilson Isidor smashed into the top-left corner, only for an offside flag to intervene. The hosts’ tempo scarcely relented and, after Enzo Le Fée’s intelligent swivel and reverse pass unpicked the visitors, Hume and Mukiele exchanged passes at the edge of the box before the right-back drilled through Sam Johnstone’s legs.

Wolves struggled to cope with the Black Cats’ set-piece variety, particularly the trajectory and distance of Mukiele’s long throws. One such missile was flicked on by Dan Ballard for the unmarked Hume, whose close-range header clipped the outside of the post, while Ballard later out‑leapt a muddled back line to meet Granit Xhaka’s corner but directed his header straight at Johnstone.

Wolves raise the tempo but not the threat

Improved after the interval, Wolves pinned Sunderland back for extended spells but struggled for a decisive action in the penalty area. João Gomes and Rodrigo Gomes both dragged inviting chances wide and Robin Roefs remained largely untested as the home defence held its shape.

The visitors’ first effort on target did not arrive until the 70th minute when Roefs sprang to keep out Marshall Munetsi’s volley. Jackson Tchatchoua prodded wide late on and, despite sending in 31 crosses, Wolves repeatedly found a well-marshalled penalty area rather than a telling finish.

Ballard shackles Strand Larsen as structure holds

Dan Ballard’s assured marking of Jørgen Strand Larsen underpinned Sunderland’s resilience. The Norway international mustered only 24 touches — the fewest by any visiting player to complete the full game — a stark measure of his isolation after Wolves had rejected £50m and £55m bids from Newcastle in the summer.

That platform was reinforced by captain Granit Xhaka’s tireless screening — no home player covered more ground — and the work rate of DR Congo international Noah Sadiki. Sunderland’s mix of aggression and composure limited Wolves largely to hopeful deliveries rather than clear sights of goal.

Decisive stoppage‑time twist

As Sunderland navigated a nervy finale in front of an increasingly anxious crowd, the release came in stoppage time. Talbi’s driven ball across the face of goal forced Krejci into a sliced clearance that wrong‑footed Johnstone and nestled inside the far post.

The own goal capped another frustrating afternoon for Wolves, who are still awaiting a first clean sheet of the league campaign. For Sunderland, it rewarded a performance that balanced invention with defensive discipline.

Managers’ verdicts and the bigger picture

“It was an important win,” said Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris. “It was important to react well after losing at Manchester United last week. It’s a long journey, and a tough journey ahead, but I’m pleased with our mindset and our togetherness.” He also praised his side’s resolve: “We defended together, showed this togetherness again, this ability to suffer together and kept this clean sheet, which is positive.”

Vítor Pereira was candid about Wolves’ display. “The first half was technically poor. I can’t remember one good moment from us. In the second half we corrected things, played 30 minutes of high-quality football and created three or four chances, but in the final 15 minutes we stopped playing, used the long ball and that’s not our game. Sunderland took their chances, we missed ours and in the Premier League you cannot lose these moments.” He added: “We must win the next game because it’s very important for us. We need to improve the way that we attack the box, the way we are crossing.”

Summer rebuild and home form power the rise

A summer overhaul is fuelling Sunderland’s momentum. Fourteen new arrivals have broadened Le Bris’s options, with Mukiele — a ~£12m signing from Paris Saint‑Germain — a standout at right-back, Sadiki adding industry, and Xhaka anchoring midfield to telling effect.

The Black Cats’ tally of 10 points from their first four home fixtures is their best top-flight home start since 1968–69 (adjusted), and only Arsenal have conceded fewer home goals this term than Sunderland’s two. The Stadium of Light is rapidly becoming a daunting assignment again.

What’s next

Sunderland visit Chelsea on Saturday, 25 October (15:00 BST).

Wolves host Burnley on Sunday, 26 October (14:00 GMT) as they seek a first league win of the season.