Dan Ballard sees red for hair-pull as Sunderland draw with Wolves

By David Charlesworth, Press Association

Sunderland had Dan Ballard sent off for hair pulling as their hopes of European football next season were dented by a 1-1 draw at already-relegated Wolves.

Ballard was given his marching orders in the 24th minute by referee Paul Tierney after a check with VAR determined the Sunderland centre-back had tugged at the long braids of Wolves forward Tolu Arokodare.

The Black Cats were leading at the time through Nordi Mukiele’s 17th-minute header but being forced to play for over an hour with 10 men helped Wolves, rock-bottom of the Premier League, gain a foothold.

Wolves ended three matches without a goal as Santiago Bueno headed home after 54 minutes and while both sides had chances to bag a winner, it finished all square and Sunderland remained 12th in the table.