Sunderland suffered a setback in their pursuit of European qualification in the Premier League as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Wolverhampton Wanderers after being reduced to 10 men.

Nordi Mukiele headed Sunderland in front at Molineux but that was as good as it got for the visitors, with Dan Ballard sent off in the 24th minute after pulling Tolu Arokodare’s hair.

That moment completely changed the game, with Wolves grabbing the initiative and going on to equalise when Santiago Bueno nodded home a 54th-minute equaliser.

Wolves’ momentum started to slow as the match reached its closing stages, although Arokodare missed a glorious chance to net a winner in stoppage-time.

Although Sunderland remain in 12th spot, they are four points adrift of sixth place, a gap which could increase to five if AFC Bournemouth can beat Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Wolves, meanwhile, remain bottom, although they are now only two points adrift of Burnley with three matches to play.

How the match unfolded

Sunderland took the lead in the 17th minute when Mukiele got away from Pedro Lima to nod Granit Xhaka’s corner into the back of the net at the far post.

But the Black Cats were reduced to 10 men seven minutes later when referee Paul Tierney showed Ballard a red card after reviewing footage on the pitchside monitor in a VAR review.

Wolves started to assert themselves and only an important intervention from Omar Alderete stopped Yerson Mosquera from converting before Toti Gomes and Arokodare were both thwarted by Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs.

Rob Edwards shifted to a back four by replacing Lima with Rodrigo Gomes at the start of the second half and Wolves produced an energetic spell during which they drew level when Bueno got away from Trai Hume to head a corner past Roefs.

Wolves pressed for a winner, but the hosts had to settle for a point after Roefs kept out Mateus Mane and Adam Armstrong, whose brilliant knockdown was looped over by Arokodare from 12 yards out moments before full-time.