Wolves rue blunt edge and late own goal as winless run continues at Sunderland

Wolves fell to a 2-0 defeat at Sunderland, their sixth loss in eight Premier League matches, to remain bottom and still searching for a first win of the campaign. Nordi Mukiele struck in the first half after a neat one-two with Trai Hume and a late Ladislav Krejci own goal in stoppage time removed any doubt.

Vítor Pereira’s side were second best before the interval and, although they improved notably after the break, pressure failed to translate into precision. With no clean sheet yet this season and the division’s worst goal difference, the margins continue to punish Wolves.

First-half malaise sets the tone

Pereira did not disguise his displeasure. “The first half was technically poor,” he said. “I can’t remember one good moment from us.” That assessment chimes with a sluggish opening in which Wolves struggled to settle while the home side asserted control.

Sunderland’s breakthrough arrived after Enzo Le Fée’s clever swivel and reverse pass created the angle for a Hume–Mukiele one-two, finished through Sam Johnstone’s legs. The warning signs had already flashed when Wilson Isidor’s early strike for the hosts was ruled offside, and Wolves’ discomfort under Mukiele’s long throws persisted, with Hume later hitting the post from a Dan Ballard flick-on and Ballard heading at Johnstone from a Granit Xhaka corner.

A 30‑minute rally without reward

Wolves emerged from half-time with greater urgency, hemming Sunderland in and creating the sort of pressure that had been absent before the break. João Gomes and Rodrigo Gomes both dragged presentable chances wide as the visitors searched for a foothold.

Yet the first genuine test of Robin Roefs did not come until the 70th minute, when he pushed away Marshall Munetsi’s volley. Jackson Tchatchoua’s late prodded effort drifted wide and a succession of deliveries lacked the final touch to make Sunderland pay.

Structure creaks: crosses mount, solutions scarce

Pereira lamented the endgame: “In the final 15 minutes we stopped playing, used the long ball and that’s not our game.” Wolves’ 31 crosses underlined the volume of territory, but too many deliveries met a set and well-populated home box.

Up front, Jørgen Strand Larsen was effectively smothered by Ballard’s marking. The Norway striker finished with just 24 touches — the fewest by any visiting player to complete the full match — a deflating measure given Wolves rejected £50m and £55m bids from Newcastle for him in the summer.

Late blow, familiar story

Just as a point looked possible, misfortune intervened. Chemsdine Talbi’s low delivery in stoppage time forced Ladislav Krejci into a sliced clearance that flew beyond Johnstone to end any lingering hopes of a comeback.

The defeat prolongs a worrying trend. Wolves are winless, have yet to record a clean sheet, and have failed to score in four of eight league games — with only managerless Nottingham Forest (five) faring worse. They are five points from safety and carry the worst goal difference in the division.

Pereira’s message and the road ahead

“In the second half we corrected things, played 30 minutes of high-quality football and created three or four chances,” said Pereira. “Sunderland took their chances, we missed ours and in the Premier League you cannot lose these moments. I understand why the fans are angry, I understand why they’re disappointed.”

There was no attempt to sugarcoat the urgency. “We must win the next game because it’s very important for us,” he added. “We need to improve the way that we attack the box, the way we are crossing.” Wolves host Burnley on Sunday, 26 October (14:00 GMT) in what already feels pivotal.