Black Cats' dogged approach keeps home fires still burning

SUNDERLAND maintained their unbeaten start in the Premier League on home soil with a resolute display against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

- By MATTY HEWITT

Nordi Mukiele's first-half strike gave the Black Cats the lead after 16 minutes, and Régis Le Bris' side controlled the first half from thereon out.

Trai Hume was unfortunate not to double Sunderland's lead midway through the half with a header at the back post, which cannoned off the woodwork.

The second spell lacked any real quality from either side and the Black Cats' second goal perhaps summed up the half.

The Wearsiders were camped in their own box looking to defend their 1-0 lead deep into injury time, but hit Wolves on the break with a clinical counterattack.

Chemsdine Talbi was looking to pick out Lutsharel Geertruida on the edge of the area, only for Ladislav Krejci to slide in and pick out the bottom corner of his own goal.

Here are the all-important talking points from the win over Wolves.

Set-piece superiority

It's easy to see why Le Bris will have had set pieces ingrained into his thinking ahead of this season.

Dan Ballard's header against Coventry City in the Championship playoff semifinal at the Stadium of Light is etched into the club's history forever. But the question was, how do they make the most of key opportunities like that against better opposition?

Their summer recruitment has certainly helped. Mukiele is quickly becoming a fan favourite at Sunderland, not just because of his defensive prowess but because of his ability to impact the game going forward.