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

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.