Sunderland

Sunderland manager Regis le Bris, speaking to Sky Sports on the race for Europe: "I think we are not thinking about the final position at the end of the season. The most important thing is the next game. If you are a good team, you can beat Manchester United and after that we will see. It is going to be a challenging fixture and I look forward to it. I hope we will be proud at the end of the season."

On Dan Ballard's red card: "I understand the rule and the referee has to execute it. But it is hard to understand in that condition, especially because it was intentionally. There was no violent conduct. I think it's important for the referees and the Premier League to be clear with the rule because in this case, you can't play a duel in case you accidentally grab something. I hope we will have a conversation with the referees to adjust this rule and make it better."

"When the forward has long hair, it's hard. It's important to have this conversation and make the rule clearer."

Did you know?

• Sunderland have earned 47 points in the Premier League this season, only earning more in 1999-00 (58) and 2000-01 (57) in the competition.

• Granit Xhaka's assist for Nordi Mukiele's opener was his sixth in the Premier League this season, the most of any Sunderland player. Only in 2017-18 and 2022-23 (both 7) has he provided more in a single campaign.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It was not immediately clear what the first-half video assistant referee (VAR) check for violent conduct was for.

Once it was established the officials were looking at a hair pull by Dan Ballard then a red card was the only outcome if he was guilty.

The guidance to clubs at the start of the season was very clear, pulling an opponents' hair would be considered a dismissal.

Whether Ballard's actions could be called violent conduct may still be up for debate, but referee Paul Tierney followed the letter of the law.

Previous incidents in the Premier League this season have included Michael Keane - also sent off for tugging Tolu Arokodare's hair - and Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez for a hair pull on Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Everton and Manchester United both failed in their appeals to get the red cards overturned so it would be expected Ballard and Sunderland will also be unsuccessful.

A three-game ban would end the defender's season and leave Sunderland further frustrated as they missed the chance to jump into the middle of the fight for Europe.

As it is they remain on the fringes.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Wolves' performance

What did you make of Sunderland's display?

Come back on Sunday for a selection of your replies

Dan Bentley, Yerson Mosquera and Tolu Arokodare start for already relegated Wolves.

Matt Doherty and Rodrigo Gomes drop to the bench while goalkeeper Jose Sa is injured so Josh Gracey is included in the matchday squad for the first time.

Wolves XI: Bentley, Lima, Mosquera, S Bueno, Toti, H Bueno, Andre, J Gomes, Mane, Armstrong, Arokodare.

Subs: Gracey, Tchatchoua, Doherty, Wolfe, A Gomes, Bellegarde, R Gomes, Edozie, Hwang.

Reinildo and Chemsdine Talbi start for Sunderland as Regis Le Bris makes two changes at Molineux.

It means Habib Diarra and Chris Rigg are among the substitutes while Jocelin Ta Bi returns to the squad after an ankle injury.

The Black Cats have conceded nine goals in their last two games after shipping four at Aston Villa and five at home to Nottingham Forest.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo, Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fee, Hume, Talbi, Brobbey.

Subs: Ellborg, Geertruida, O'Nien, Cirkin, Rigg, Diarra, Mayenda, Isidor, Ta Bi.

There are four games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Brentford v West Ham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Newcastle v Brighton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Wolves v Sunderland

• Arsenal v Fulham (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Brentford v West Ham" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Arsenal v Fulham", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

I'm maybe being foolish here but I am backing Sunderland to respond after their shocker at home to Nottingham Forest last time out.

Black Cats boss Regis le Bris would have been "Regis le Bristle" after that woeful home display and his team looked like they were on the beach.

To continue the maritime theme, Wolves have looked like a fish out of water for most of this Premier League campaign.

They come into this game off the back of three straight defeats without managing a goal and I can see them floundering again here.

Sutton's prediction: 0-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Sophie Brown
BBC Sport journalist

Already relegated Wolves host Sunderland, whose form is also floundering.

Even though it is less than two weeks since Wolves' fate was mathematically sealed, the writing had been on the wall for much longer.

Rob Edwards' side showed glimpses of raging against the dying of the light with a recent run of just one defeat in six league matches – but the past three matches have been a return to the miserable form that has left them bottom for most of the season.

Three straight defeats, eight goals conceded and none scored. Another loss will see Wolves set a new club record of 24 defeats in a 38-game campaign in the top flight.

Wolves have failed to score in a division-high 18 Premier League games this season – although the fact that Sunderland shipped five last time out may give them some hope.

They also have a good record at home to the Black Cats. They are unbeaten in their past seven home league games against Sunderland (W3, D4) – although this is the first time they have hosted them since a 0-0 draw in the Championship in 2017.

Sunderland faltering

Since reaching the mythical 40-point mark, Sunderland seem to have gone off the boil. A famous derby win over Newcastle apart, the Black Cats' recent form has been pretty lacklustre.

Four defeats in their past six games since then include a loss to Port Vale, who have just been relegated to League Two.

Those defeats also include conceding nine goals in their past two matches – their 5-0 drubbing by Nottingham Forest was their joint-heaviest home league defeat, and their worst since the 1950s.

Sunderland's defence was pretty solid in the first half of the season – up to the turn of the year, only top two Arsenal and Manchester City had conceded fewer Premier League goals than the Black Cats' 18.

But since then, only struggling Burnley and Tottenham have conceded more than Sunderland's 27.

Despite this poor form, Sunderland have still exceeded expectations this season, and with a European spot still in reach, there remains plenty to play for.

Image source, Getty Images

Enzo Le Fee has to be weaved into Sunderland's team and ideally in a central position, says former striker Marco Gabbiadini.

Speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle, commentator Nick Barnes said there is a dilemma for Regis le Bris in whether to continue to use Habib Diarra or find a central role for Le Fee.

Barnes explained: "There's a debate that be had about Diarra because if he wants to get the wingers in the team, it means he can push Le Fee into the 10 position or the eight position, which he feels is Le Fee's best position."

And Gabbiadini offered: "Look, it's hard that the dynamic changes for the manager. Sometimes he has to play Le Fee in a wide position because other people are injured.

"But yes, getting him into the middle of the park, he's been so influential and, you know, he sees those little openings and finds little pockets of space, but it can leave you unbalanced in other ways.

"I think if he's fit, he's got to play because he's, he's such a clever footballer. Hard work is brilliant and everyone has to work hard. But, you know, I think at times Diarra is running, but is he running in the right areas?

"Does he need to run? My favourite saying was, 'good players know when to stand still' and Le Fee does that. He makes himself available for his team-mates. So, you know, the manager's got decisions to make."

• Listen to the debate and callers on the Black Cats

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Wolves at Molineux (15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Reflecting on last week's 5-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest, Le Bris said: "It has been a long week and the review was important. The game was a warning about how demanding this league is. When you drop your standards slightly, you get punished. We all have a responsibility, and we have to push forward."

• Wolves have had a "difficult season" but some good results recently at home and will be "generating momentum for next season".

• Jocelin Ta Bi "should be available this weekend". A decision will be made on wingers Nilson Angulo and Bertrand Traore, who are both "in a good place".

• On the pair's possible return: "We tried to find other options but it's not easy. I hope they will help but also, we know they haven't played for a long period so we can't expect a huge impact straight away. Sometimes you have to wait, but it will help."

• Le Bris acknowledged the Black Cats' defensive issues. "I don't know if we dropped our standards or if our opponent found solutions to hurt us. Probably both. We are working hard, it's not easy because it's about small margins."

• On targeting qualifying for Europe: "The players are always ambitious but at the same time, we have to say humble. If you start dreaming, maybe you can drop your standards. Probably the lesson from the previous games, two semi-finalists from the Europa League, nine goals we conceded and this is a lesson about our level right now. So the next challenge is to be competitive, to win and we'll see what the three points mean in the table."

• On finishing above Newcastle: "Hard to say, every game is different. It's important for us to bounce back and then we'll see. You can't control the opponent. I expect different behaviours from the squad (to Forest) then we'll see."

Listen to more from Le Bris speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle on BBC Sounds here or by clicking play on the clip above

Got a question about Sunderland? Get in touch here and we'll ask our experts

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Sunderland's chances for European qualification as they currently sit 12th in the Premier League.

Here are some of your comments:

Dave: Not if they continue to employ a tortoise-versus-hare approach to winning matches, especially in home games.

Stu: I don't think we will make Europe this season. The past two results may have impacted our chances due to the hit in goal difference. Mathematically it is still possible, but realistically I think mid-table 10th or 11th place is looking the likely outcome.

Geoff: No. And no they're not ready. Too inexperienced. Not enough strength in depth and most certainly not a big enough squad. Enjoy our success in our first season back and strengthen in all departments over the summer.

Robert: We're not ready for European football. We need to consolidate next season and push on again. Regis le Bris has been a revelation and I'm sure he will want to address the poor (really poor) performance the other night [against Nottingham Forest] and ensure we finish the last four games stronger. If we can get top 10, then great. Talk of Europe has been fanciful media hype.

David: Will we get into Europe? I sincerely hope not. We're not ready and are ahead of schedule simply by being in the Premier League. No, give us another couple of transfer windows and another season at the very least. Be careful what you wish for as they say.

Ross: I don't understand this obsession with getting European football in the first season back in the Premier league. It has been a huge achievement securing survival so early in the season when every pundit had Sunderland as nailed-on certainties to go down. There needs to be a period of consolidation as we have seen how badly playing in Europe affects league form with the likes of Forest and Crystal Palace.

Felix: I think we could dig in and get the results needed for Europe. We proved at the start of the season that we have the capability and character to get results. I don't think as a team we're ready for Europe yet. The season has been a massive success and we should definitely have Europe in our eyes but use the next year to build a bit of Premier League stability and then push on.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini believes there is no point in criticising Regis le Bris' side after their 5-0 defeat by Nottingham Forest last Friday as they have been "consistent" and "relentless" in their first season back in the Premier League.

The Black Cats struggled for much of the game as Forest ran riot in the first half and took an insurmountable 4-0 lead before Elliot Anderson added another in the second half to hand Sunderland their biggest loss this season.

Gabbiadini, speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle, said: "Forest were ruthless. They were pressing the ball. They were having two or three shots at goal and then it was going out for a corner, and then they'd score from the corner. We almost talk about the fine margins, and I think that's one of the biggest factors in the Premier League.

"If you look at Sunderland this year, we haven't had too many bad days and we haven't had too many days where five, six, seven of the players have been off colour. We've been consistent, and the work rate has been incredible. The manager uses the word intensity a lot and intensity is one of the hardest things to achieve in any walk of life. Doing the same thing over and over again to the highest level is really difficult.

"We've seen a team this year that have been relentless at times, who have really ground their heels into teams when they've got them on the rack and turned games around from being a goal down.

"There's no point just criticising people, people make mistakes. We haven't made many this year and the goalkeeper has hardly put a foot wrong in all the games he's played. It wasn't his best night and he got punished for it."

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds

Explore more Sunderland content

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It's still all to play for in Sunderland's four remaining Premier League games.

The permutations for getting into Europe this season are complex, but BBC Sport's Dale Johnson has broken them down here.

Do you think the Stadium of Light will host European football next season? If so, why are you confident? If not, what can take the club on to that next step?

Get in touch with your views here

Gavin Henderson
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

What a strange feeling.

Despite spending the week looking rather optimistically ahead to the visit of Nottingham Forest to Sunderland on Friday night, the game was over by half time as we shipped four goals and then conceded another in the second period - the heaviest defeat we've suffered in a very long time.

I honestly never saw that level of performance coming from us. That said, you've got to give Forest a lot of credit because they were excellent, though we certainly didn't help ourselves and just didn't look like a side motivated to finish in the top eight, which hurts a lot.

We've now conceded nine goals in our last two games, and the manager and the players have got to address this when we play Wolves at the weekend. I know they're already down, but they're not completely useless and have achieved some alright results over the last few months, so we've got to be careful. Anything less than a victory will be looked upon as a bad result and could have a massive impact on next season and how we recruit, because while a win would keep us in the conversation for Europe, a defeat would probably have us feeling like our season is already over.

I don't mean to be too negative here, but what we saw on Friday night just wasn't acceptable, and the players owe the fans a performance. Granit Xhaka said in his post on Instagram that the focus would turn to putting things right - and I'm sure that has been the case - but we can only quantify that with results and performance levels, and the group now have to prove their doubters wrong at Wolves' Molineux Stadium this weekend.

Find more from Gavin Henderson at Roker Report, external

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on whether the mood is taking a turn at the Stadium of Light, particularly amid the recent downturn in form and reports that Regis le Bris could be sacked if the club don't qualify for European football this season.

Here are some of your thoughts:

Leon: One big defeat and this is way the club and the supporters respond. I'm amazed. Back the team and back the manager! We've had a superb season and I think Europe is a bridge too far. We should consolidate and get ready for next season. Look at what happened to Newcastle with so many European games. We are a newly-promoted side, let's not make the mistake of thinking we are bigger than we are.

Dave: There's absolutely no way we should be letting Le Bris go this summer. This season has exceeded all expectations, and to suggest that we should - or even could - upgrade is nonsensical.

Jeff: I just think a bit of complacency has developed. The next couple of games will be crucial to Le Bris' long-term prospects.

Andrew: He is a great manager. There's no ego to worry him. He has done a brilliant job this season, don't forget we were widely predicted for relegation at the beginning and it's never looked like being on the cards. Viva Le Bris! Onwards and upwards.

Keith: We've stopped pressing like earlier in the season and we aren't working as a unit. I think in recent weeks some of the players have switched off.

Matthew: We've looked disjointed at the back for a while now; probably since playing Brighton at home in March, which then followed through to the Tyne-Wear derby. In the past two games the luck has ran out, in terms of not being truly punished at the back. There's work to do in the summer for me.

Josh: The objective was surely avoiding relegation this season. It would be madness to sack Le Bris, given what he has done for us. In an era of managerial turbulence, a bit of stability goes a long way.

Image source, Getty Images

Despite exceeding expectations at numerous points this season, the mood at the Stadium of Light is taking a turn.

Sunderland have recorded three defeats in their past five Premier League games, also conceding more than three goals in back-to-back league games for the first time since September 1958.

In addition, only Burnley (31) and Tottenham (30) have conceded more league goals than Sunderland (27) in 2026, despite only Arsenal (12) and Manchester City (17) having conceded less league goals than the Black Cats (18) at the turn of the year.

These stats illustrate a stark contrast to the newly-promoted side who were taking the top flight by storm at the start of the campaign.

Sunderland boss Regis le Bris admitted it has been "a long and tough season" for his side in the aftermath of their 5-0 thumping by Nottingham Forest on Friday night, adding that things feel "a bit on the edge" after recent results.

The fans' verdict following the defeat was also pretty damning, with one supporter suggesting there is "no quality in the team" and another stating "we have rode our luck for too long".

Former Black Cats captain Gary Bennett also waded in on the conversation, saying the players "need to look in the mirror" on BBC Radio Newcastle.

But the question is: does the blame lie with the players, the manager or the club's hierarchy?

Well, last week, Talksport, external reported Sunderland owners Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Juan Sartori have not ruled out sacking Le Bris at the end of this season, if he fails to secure European football.

"I don't want to lose this manager," Black Cats fan Peter told BBC Radio 5 Live's 606 over the weekend. "He has been absolutely amazing for us, but the owner is very ambitious. He has already changed his top management, so I'm really worried for Le Bris."

However, former Premier League striker Chris Sutton believes it would be a "madness" of a decision to sack the Frenchman as "the fact they have stayed up so comfortably is an amazing feat in itself."

Why do you think Sunderland's form has taken a downturn in recent weeks? How are you feeling about the current situation? What do you believe needs to change moving forward?

Let us know your thoughts here

Pundits Martin Keown and Steph Houghton join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• West Ham 2-1 Everton

• Wolves 0-1 Tottenham

• Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle

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Reacting at full-time of Fridy's 5-0 defeat by Nottingham Forest on BBC Radio Newcastle, former Sunderland captain Gary Bennett said: "They need to look in the mirror. That's what they've got to do.

You look at the game overall and think, when did it all start? They were sloppy and that started from the goalkeeper and defenders early doors. A couple of times we were nearly caught. That was the warning.

We still contiued doing the same old, making the same mistakes, being sloppy.

But, getting caught out on those set-plays - come on. This is the Premier League.

Listen to the full reaction below or on BBC Sounds

We asked for your thoughts after Friday’s Premier League game between Sunderland and Nottingham Forest.

Here are some of your comments:

Sunderland fans

Lynne: So disappointing! No excuse for such a poor performance. No quality in the team.

Keith: The stuff of nightmares. The game was even till the first goal, but then energy ran out and mistakes crept in. Forest had done their homework and scored three times by good wing play and neat crosses - helped by our shocking marking. At least we showed a bit of fight in the second half. We had a quick and traffic free journey home - everyone else had left long ago! We end the season with a whimper.

James: We've been due this result for a while - have rode our luck for too long. Personally, 5-0 at home should result in a fine for the full squad.

Dave: I'm proud that at 4-0 the fans were in full voice and behind the team. Forest were efficient but we were inept. Played the game like a training drill with no intensity. We aren't ready for the demands of European football. If we had got it we'd be next year's Forest.

Forest fans

Sean: Where to begin? Struggled to score from set-pieces all season, and like a bus three came at once in that first half! Wood is back in the goals, Igor Jesus continues where he left off last week and is there any stopping MGW? Not looking likely. Even when we stepped off in the second half Anderson pops up with a gift of a goal. Rode our luck with the disallowed goal but it didn't affect the outcome. Mathematically still in the relegation fight, but eight points clear and a performance like that against a strong Sunderland side has laid the gauntlet down for Tottenham and West Ham. Dare I say we should only focus on the Europa League semi now?

Martyn: Looks like we've found a way to play. Good old fashioned 4-4-2! Pressed high and capitalised on the mistakes. MGW has become the goalscorer we knew was in there and great to see the whole team fight for each other. Massive result!

Dave: A sublime first half which was followed by an isolated incident of game management in the second in the context of this season. To a man, they played a blinder and credit to the coaches too. A real team performance all round. Whisper it, but we might be all right now.

Soulalways: Fantastic result from my beloved Reds! We should not be down at the foot of the table because we have class players who can win games and trophies. The bad decisions of the past year have landed us in this mess, but we proved we can climb out of it after a great result at Sunderland. Going forward, we have nothing to fear - let’s get out there and beat the rest of the opposition home or away. We still love Nuno at West Ham and I hope they stay up and the spuds go down...that would be justice! COYR!

Joe Rindl
BBC Sport Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland could have moved into the top eight with a win, potentially further boosting their hopes of European football next season.

But Regis le Bris' side were shocked by Nottingham Forest, conceding three goals in six first-half minutes and were never able to get back into the game.

Friday's result was just the third time Sunderland have lost a league game on home soil by five or more goals - and the first since a 6-1 loss to Birmingham City in April 1958.

And worryingly for Sunderland, only Burnley (31) and Tottenham Hotspur (30) have conceded more goals than them (27) in the Premier League in 2026.

Before the new year only Arsenal (12) and Manchester City (17) had let in fewer than them in the top flight (18).

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "Painful. It hurts to concede a big defeat at home like this so early in the first half, because the game was over after 45 minutes. 4-0 down at half-time is hard to explain. It is a strong reminder because when you drop your standards just by 10% your opponent can kill you, and that was the case in the first half.

"After that I think the lads tried to react and showed better energy with strong support from the fans, but it was not enough. At the end we were a bit disorganised [trying] to score at least once and then comes the fifth goal.

"We have different explanations. Is it individually? Is it collectively? Is it tactically? We have many options to explain this big defeat, but in the end, it is about our standards. When you are not at the level, this league is so demanding and you get punished.

"It has been a long and tough season. We can feel that we are a bit on the edge. It is hard to maintain and sustain the level but this is our job and we want to be proud of our season and our connection to the fans. It is not possible to give up, I don't think that was the case today but we started too slowly and they were really efficient. Their game plan was perfect and we did not adapt. It's a good lesson and important for the future."

On set-piece frailties: "We felt it last week against Villa, that those situations can hurt us, so we have strong work to do with the coaching staff. It is not only behind the scenes but on the pitch where you have to get better."

On the fans: "They are impressive, probably better than us today to be fair. We are proud of their support. When it is tough, you have to feel the support of your fans and they were behind us. It is a big responsibility to give the right answer to the last four games we have had."

Did you know?

• Sunderland have conceded more than three goals in back-to-back league games (also 4-3 vs Aston Villa) for the first time since September 1958 in the second tier (0-5 vs Swansea, 0-6 vs Sheffield Wednesday).

• Only Burnley (31) and Tottenham Hotspur (30) have conceded more goals in the Premier League in 2026 than Sunderland (27) - at the turn of the year, only Arsenal (12) and Manchester City (17) had conceded fewer goals in the top-flight than the Black Cats (18).

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Sunderland's performance

What did you make of Forest's display?

Come back on Saturday for a selection of your replies

It's two changes for both sides. For Sunderland, Trai Hume and Dan Ballard come in for Luke O'Nien and Reinildo Mandava, who both drop to the bench.

Omar Alderete was substituted early in the second half in Sunderland's 4-3 loss to Aston Villa, but he starts tonight.

Sunderland XI: Roefs; Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Hume; Xhaka, Sadiki; Rigg, Diarra, Le Fee; Brobbey.

Subs: Ellborg, Cirkin, Geertruida, Talbi, Mayenda, O'Nien, Mandava, Isidor, Jones.

Forest's Jair Cunha is in for the injured Murillo at centre-back. Igor Jesus starts with Dilane Bakwa benched.

Nottingham Forest XI: Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Cunha, Williams; Sangare, Anderson; Jesus, Gibbs-White, Hutchinson; Wood.

Subs: Ortega, Morato, Awoniyi, Ndoye, Dominguez, Yates, McAtee, Netz, Bakwa.