Follow live coverage as Sunderland face Wolverhampton Wanderers today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Liverpool look to fend off competition from Arsenal, Manchester City and more.
The race for the Champions League places should also be a compelling battle, with a fifth place possible for English teams. Manchester United’s latest rebuild under Ruben Amorim sets expectations high once more after a dismal season last time out.
Meanwhile, it’s Burnley, Leeds United and Sunderland who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
Sunderland AFC 1 - 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers FC
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
16:06
Sunderland are now forcing Wolves back into deeper positions. The hosts are winning the majority of second balls, putting real pressure on Wolves. Their latest adventure forward wins them a corner-kick.
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
16:07
Sunderland second half in underway!
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
16:02
The first half saw both teams having spells of possession. Sunderland most certainly made more of their dominant spells, where they forced Wolves deep, winning corners and free-kicks. A lot of Wolves spells saw them trying to breakdown the Sunderland team, moving the ball side to side, however struggling to find the gaps.
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
15:57
It is half-time at the Stadium of Light, with the hosts leading Wolves by one-goal-to-nil. Isidor thought he had given Sunderland the lead, however he couldn’t time his run perfectly, leading to him being offside from Sadiki’s through ball. Sunderland did take the lead, with no doubt about it this time, after 16 minutes. Mukiele played a one-two with Hume, before finding the back of the net to give the hosts the lead. Hume came close to doubling the lead, after Ballard’s flick-on found Hume free at the back post, however he couldn’t guide his diving header on target – hitting the post. Wolves haven’t managed to trouble Roefs in the Sunderland net just yet, failing to have a single shot on target. Sunderland have had an xG of 0.75 in the first half, compared to Wolves with just 0.1xG. The Opta win probability is giving Sunderland a 65% chance on turning this half-time lead into all three points – Wolves just 11% chance of turning the game around.
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
15:52
HALF-TIME: Sunderland 1-0 Wolves
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
15:50
Sadiki has an effort blocked from just inside the area. The ball falls to Xhaka from 30-yards out, who releases a pile-driver which is headed out for a corner by Krejci.
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
15:50
Isidor goes down after Santiago Bueno catches the Frenchman’s achilles.
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
15:47
Mukiele is down with some discomfort after colliding with Krejci. It looks to have given him a slight dead leg, however he is hobbling slightly but continuing.
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
15:47
Four minutes has been given for added-time.
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
15:44
Xhaka plays a dangerous in-swinging corner which finds Ballard by the penalty spot. His header is straight at Johnstone, causing no issue to the goalkeeper.
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
15:40
Munetsi whips in a dangerous cross into the area. No Wolves man can meet the ball and put any pressure on Roefs – something they haven’t done once so far.
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
15:38
Rodrigo Gomes drives at Ballard, who results in fouling the Wolves man just outside the area. Free-kick to the visitors from a tight, but dangerous, angle.
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
15:38
Wolves now finally retaining possession, giving a break to their back-line, which has been stretched.
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
15:36
Rodrigo Gomes catches Sadiki with an arm as the pair jump for a ball. The referee indicates to the sideline for the physio to come on. After some brief checks he seems all ok.
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
15:34
Arias blasts the free-kick over the bar, however there was a deflection on the way giving them a corner.
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
15:29
HOW IS IT NOT 2-0!? Another Mukiele throw-in causes real trouble, as Ballard wins the first contact. The flick-on finds the on-coming Hume at the back post, however his diving header hits the post from close range. It should be two for Sunderland!
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
15:29
Sunderland have had a few free-kicks from near the halfway line which have been wasted, either going over the bar or too deep to cause Wolves any trouble.
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
15:28
Wolves are under some pressure here, as Mukiele launches a couple of throw-ins into the penalty box. They defend the situation well and allow Sunderland nothing.
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
15:28
NO GOAL! Sadiki finds Isidor in behind the Wolves backline, and he sends a fantastic left-footed finish past Johnstone from an awkward angle. The assistant put his flag up as soon as it hit the net and VAR confirmed the decision of offside.
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
15:25
Both Isidor and Larsen have only had two touches in the opening 24 minutes of the game.
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
15:24
Mukiele’s long throws are causing some trouble for Wolves, as Sunderland are piling bodies forward at every opportunity.
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
15:22
Wolves have conceded 10 first-half goals in eight games, more than any other in the Premier League this season.
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
15:22
Sunderland have had all of the ball across the last ten minutes, with over 80% possession. They are not allowing the Wolves players any time on the ball.
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
15:22
It is a fantastically weighted first-time pass from Hume to find Mukiele free in the penalty area. Great link up from the Sunderland full-backs.
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
15:22
GOOOAALLLLLLLLLLL! MUKIELE MAKES IT 1-0 TO SUNDERLAND! Mukiele and Hume play a one-two between each other leaving Mukiele unnoticed in the area. He manages to squeeze the ball past Johnstone and give the hosts a deserved lead.
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
15:10
Wolves with a good spell, moving the ball with authority around the pitch trying to create an opening. Ballard goes down following a collision with Xhaka. He looked to be winded and is back up!
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
15:10
Sunderland could climb as high as third with a win – Wolves could move out of the relegation zone.
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
15:06
First effort of the game is from Munetsi; however he doesn’t manage to put pressure on Roefs in net. Mukiele moments later takes a first-time effort from outside the box, but drags his effort wide.
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
15:04
Sunderland have had most of the ball in the early stages, with a short pause as today’s referee Robert Jones had a touch of the ball.
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
15:03
Wolves are looking for their first win of the season. The two points they have is better than this time last season, where they had just the one after seven games.
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
15:02
KICK-OFF: We are underway here at the Stadium of Light!
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
14:59
After their defeat last time out to Manchester United, Regis Le Bris makes two changes to the starting line-up. Ballard comes in for Masuaku, as Mukiele looks likely to move over to left-back. Adingra also finds himself dropping to the bench, with 18-year-old Rigg returning to the XI after being an unused sub against Man United. Xhaka and Sadiki continue to partner one another as the defensive midfield duo.
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
14:59
SUNDERLAND SUBS: Anthony Patterson, Dan Neil, Lutsharel Geertruida, Chemsdine Talbi, Brian Brobbey, Eliezer Mayenda, Luke O'Nien, Simon Adingra, Arthur Masuaku.
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
14:58
SUNDERLAND (4-2-3-1): Robin Roefs; Trai Hume, Omar Alderete, Dan Ballard, Nordi Mukiele, Noah Sadiki, Granit Xhaka; Bertrand Traore, Chris Rigg, Enzo Le Fee; Wilson Isidor.
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
14:58
Sunderland have enjoyed a strong start to the season, sitting in ninth place in the table after seven games. Last time out, they did fall to a 2-0 loss at Manchester United. However, they were unbeaten in their previous four games, including facing three sides who qualified for Europe last season. They have not lost at home yet this campaign, accumulating seven points from a possible nine. The game they dropped points in at the Stadium of Light was their last home game, against Aston Villa. Sunderland had to battle, as Reinildo saw red in the first half, and escaped with a 1-1 draw. A win today would see Sunderland record their best home start to a top-flight campaign since 1968 (also three wins and one draw).
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
15:01
The players, led by Xhaka and Doherty, make their way onto the pitch ahead of today’s Premier League clash!
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
14:57
Just one of Sunderland’s seven Premier League goals this season has been scored in the first half (14%), a league-low ratio. They have had 27 shots and 2.4 xG in the opening 45 minutes of games this term, compared to 43 shots and 3.9 xG after half-time.
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
14:47
Vitor Pereira also makes two changes to his side. Hwang Hee-chan does not make the matchday squad after sustaining a ‘minor injury’ on international duty, with Rodrigo Gomes coming in to replace the South Korean. Doherty is back in the XI after a spell on the sideline, as Tchatchoua dropping to the bench. Strand Larsen will be hoping to open his account in the league this campaign, after netting 14 goals last season.
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
14:41
WOLVES SUBS: Jose Sa, David Moller Wolffe, Emmanuel Agbadou, Tolu Arokodare, Yerson Mosquera, Toti Gomes, Ki-Jana Hoever, Fer Lopez, Jackson Tchatchoua.
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
14:36
WOLVES (4-3-3): Sam Johnstone; Matt Doherty, Santiago Bueno, Ladislav Krejci, Hugo Bueno; Marshall Munetsi, Andre, Joao Gomes; John Arias, Jorgen Strand Larsen, Rodrigo Gomes.
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
14:30
Wolves are still winless after seven Premier League games, and sit rock bottom of the table. After five losses to start their season, they have picked up draws at Tottenham and against Brighton in their last two outings. Wolves have had a continuous issue in front of goal, scoring a league-low five goals. They, along with Fulham, are the only sides to not have a player with multiple goals so far this season. The two points picked up before the international break can be a building block to staying in the Premier League, with it looking to be a battle at the foot-end of the table.
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
14:30
Hello everybody! Welcome to today’s commentary from the Stadium of Light, as Sunderland host Wolves in the Premier League.
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
13:00
Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
