Andy’s Player Ratings: Wolves 1-1 Sunderland – Ballard Off In Stalemate

**Dan Ballard: 4/10**

It’s a soft red card but as there have been similar high profile incidents recently, Ballard really should have known he wouldn’t get away with that.

**Omar Alderete: 8/10**

Made one risky pass during the second half that almost set Wolves away but otherwise he was a mountain at the back, throwing himself at everything. Almost got in on goal in the second half with a great first touch from Xhaka’s ball but his best bit of play was an absolutely vital touch just before half-time when it looked like the Wolves player would have a free shot.

**Reinildo: 7/10**

Defended well down the side but seemed to tire as the game went on, kept his man mostly quiet.

**Granit Xhaka (C): 8/10**

Sat in front of the defence and helped us keep Wolves at bay but then charged forward on the press as the game wore on. Played some lovely balls into attacking positions, with ones to Alderete and Isidor almost playing the pair in on goal. Had a good shot himself from Talbi’s lay-off but passed the ball just wide.

**Noah Sadiki: 7/10**

Covered loads of ground while we were down to 10 men, trying to close down whoever was the free man. Created half a chance for Talbi in the first half when he won the ball high up and laid it off for the winger.

**Trai Hume: 6/10**

Got beaten a bit too easily again from a defensive set piece, with the goalscorer getting above him. Defended well outside of then though and made a good defensive tackle on the edge of the six-yard box when Wolves were well placed to score.

**Chemsdine Talbi: 7/10**

Gave us a good option out wide throughout but his final ball was missing today, kept the ball well when we were in possession but his shots were underhit. Did put one good cross in for Isidor late on but Diarra had a wild swing when the ball landed to him.

**Enzo Le Fee: 7/10**

Worked really hard on and off the ball and there were quite a few moments where he’d take a great touch to get himself into a yard of space to start an attack.

**Brian Brobbey: 6/10**

Had a chance early when Sadiki played him in but it was good defending from Wolves to deflected his effort over. Had a running battle all game with the Wolves defenders.

**Substitutes**

Wilson Isidor**: 6/10**

Gave us more of a threat in behind when he came on, got stopped from scoring from a Xhaka pass thanks to a great bit of defensive play by a Wolves player but should have been one-one-one with the opposition goalkeeper after Roefs played him in but he took a heavy touch rather than running onto the ball.

Dennis Cirkin: 6/10

Got booked after getting underneath the ball and having to trip the winger up but looked good when he came on, got forward well and had a penalty shout when his ball hit a hand.

Habib Diarra: 6/10

Actually played well when he came on, giving us some impetus from midfield but had two reasonable chances to shoot but both his shots were wild.

**Man of the Match:** Omar Alderete

Had to be a wall at the back following Ballard being sent off and was just that, throwing his head onto the ball whenever he could, making a goalsaving touch when Wolves were well placed and making life uncomfortable for the big Wolves striker.