Sunderland’s steel and spark sink Wolves as fortress Stadium of Light grows louder

The Stadium of Light was in full voice as Sunderland defeated Wolves 2-0 to consolidate a superb start to life back in the Premier League. Nordi Mukiele crowned a flowing first-half move with the opener and a stoppage-time own goal from Ladislav Krejci finally eased nerves, securing a third home win from four.

Régis Le Bris’s side rise to seventh with 10 points harvested at home — their best top-flight home start since 1968–69 (adjusted to three points for a win) — and four wins from eight overall for a 14-point haul. It also represented the ideal reaction to last week’s defeat at Manchester United: initiative seized early, resilience shown late.

Patterns rehearsed, plan delivered

Sunderland set the rhythm quickly. Wilson Isidor’s emphatic early finish was chalked off for offside, but it signposted the control to come. Enzo Le Fée’s swivel and reverse pass then unlocked Wolves, Trai Hume slid the return and Mukiele, timing his run to perfection, threaded the shot between Sam Johnstone’s legs.

The Black Cats’ rehearsed routines kept the visitors guessing. Mukiele’s long throws rained into the box; from one, Dan Ballard’s deft flick reached Hume at the back post and the right-back’s header clipped the outside of the upright. When Granit Xhaka’s corner found Ballard towering above the pack, Johnstone had to scramble to gather the header.

Resilience under fire

Wolves inevitably pushed after the break, hemming Sunderland in for spells, but the home defence held its nerve and shape. João Gomes and Rodrigo Gomes dragged efforts wide as the red-and-white shirts funneled runners into crowded lanes and won the key second balls.

Even when the first shot on target arrived — a Marshall Munetsi volley at the 70-minute mark — Robin Roefs was there, springing across to save. Jackson Tchatchoua prodded wide late on and 31 visiting crosses were repelled by a back line marshalled superbly by Ballard.

Ballard’s grip, Xhaka’s anchor, and new faces thriving

Ballard’s duel with Jørgen Strand Larsen was decisive; the Wolves striker mustered only 24 touches across the 90 minutes as Sunderland’s No 5 read the flight of every cross. Ahead of him, captain Granit Xhaka covered more ground than any home player, setting a combative tone in midfield, while DR Congo international Noah Sadiki’s industry knitted press and possession.

This was also another advertisement for the summer rebuild. Fourteen additions have deepened the squad, with Mukiele — a ~£12m pick-up from Paris Saint‑Germain — increasingly influential at right-back and Le Fée’s left-sided guile repeatedly destabilising the visitors.

A stoppage-time surge and a roar to match

As tension flickered late on, Sunderland found a release. Chemsdine Talbi drove a ball across the area and Ladislav Krejci, facing his own goal, sliced beyond Johnstone. The Stadium of Light erupted, the points secured and the clean sheet preserved.

It was a finish emblematic of the control Sunderland had built: pressure applied early, storms weathered after the interval, and the decisive moment claimed when it mattered.

Le Bris’s togetherness and the road ahead

“It was an important win,” said 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.” The head coach added: “We defended together, showed this togetherness again, this ability to suffer together and kept this clean sheet, which is positive.”

The numbers underscore the mood. Sunderland have taken 10 of a possible 12 points at home — their best top-flight home start since 1968–69 (adjusted) — and only Arsenal have conceded fewer home goals than the Black Cats’ two. Next up is Chelsea away on Saturday, 25 October (15:00 BST), another measurement of how far this side has come in such a short time.