Sunderland

Image source, Getty Images

Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini says set-pieces have "always been important," but "teams do their homework" now to minimise the threat of them.

How clubs score and defend set-pieces has been an ongoing topic of conversation this season, with the majority of teams now having a dedicated set-piece coach and style.

"You used to rely on the commitment of players, in terms of putting their bodies on the line and jumping into situations," said Gabbiadini to BBC Radio Newcastle. "I think the height differences were different as well [in the past] as the average height of a Premier League footballer is over six-foot.

"You now have the situation where everyone is pretty decent so who do you mark?

"Set pieces come down to chance. Sunderland scored quite a lot from them in the first third of the season and now it's dropped off a little bit.

"One of my jobs as a goalscorer was to try and get on the end of things and for corners, the manager wanted me to be free and find where the gap is. You could make the same run for 20 games and not get on the end of it, but then get to it three games in a row, so there is so much chance involved."

On why Sunderland have become less of a threat from set-pieces as the season has gone on, Gabbiadini said: "The delivery and the way the players can shape the ball now does cause defenders a problem.

"Sunderland's corners have never been among the best and they have always struggled to put a good ball in. That's an area that you could argue they need to do better in.

"I think Regis le Bris is right in that teams do evolve through a season and other teams do their homework.

"They have worked out what Sunderland were doing early doors from set-pieces and you have always got to stay ahead of the game.

"It's like long-throws. Less teams are doing them now because teams have worked out how to defend them.

"You've got to find that extra one per cent all the time."

Listen to Gabbiadini on BBC Sounds or by clicking play on the clip below

Holly Bacon
BBC Sport journalist

Sunderland boss Regis le Bris has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Manchester United at Stadium of Light (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Apart from Romaine Mundle and suspended Dan Ballard, everyone is available confirmed Le Bris.

• The Sunderland boss admitted they are disappointed the appeal against Ballard's red card was rejected because the "situation was a bit unclear". He added: "I do think he tried to grab the shirt and in the duel, unfortunately, long hair got caught. It wasn't intentional and the law is the law so I understand the referee at one point but, at the same time, I think the rule, it's a bit unclear."

• On whether there is an opportunity for Lutsharel Geertruida: "Yes, it is an opportunity because we have had different options this season. He is versatile, a bit like Trai [Hume] so it's really useful for us because when we need somebody ready to play as a midfielder, left-sided centre-back, right-back, he can manage different positions."

• He was also asked about their outside chance of European football: "At the minute, it's really important to stay humble because I don't know if we started to dream after a good period, but as soon as you drop your level just by 10 per cent, the league is so demanding that you can't stay alive in the game."

• Before facing a "challenging" opponent in Manchester United, Le Bris said: "The players like a challenge, to be just on the edge, to show how good they can be. But it's also a question of togetherness, the connection between players and managing key moments."

• Le Bris said being "really disciplined, well-connected" and to work hard is key, as well as being "bold and creative" because "if you don't move, disturb the opponent, they will play in their comfort zone and I don't think we can play like that if we want to be competitive". He added they have to show "the best version of Sunderland".

• On what the fans can bring: "We have to be aligned and it starts from us, the way we play and for that you have key moments in games. Sometimes you suffer, you need support to contain the opponent because it's hard and when you can generate momentum, you can switch the dynamic of the game if you feel the energy."

• On summer rumours and planning: "Transfer rumours are a consequence of the strong season and I think it's positive. We want to see the situation like that. We want stability, it's really clear. After that, the market is the market, with different events, opportunities. We will see but stability will be key."

Hit play above to hear more from Le Bris or listen on BBC Sounds here

Listen to full commentary of Sunderland v Manchester United on BBC Radio 5 Live from 15:00 BST on Saturday

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Got a question about Sunderland? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

Sunderland, Brentford and Celtic are interested in Soufiane El-Faouzi after the midfielder helped Schalke win Bundesliga 2, with some suitors ready to pay more than £11m for the 23-year-old German. (Sky Sports, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Nick Barnes
BBC Radio Newcastle's Sunderland commentator

Potential interest in Brian Brobbey has been the subject of several questions sent in via our 'Ask about Sunderland' form recently.

There will doubtless be a lot of interest in Sunderland's players this summer following their successful Premier League campaign and the recruitment success of last summer's transfer window.

Sunderland has cannily tied most of their players to five year deals which works in both parties favour but especially the club who have no need to sell. However it's widely believed they will sell a marquee player in the next window if they are offered a significant sum.

Will it be Brian Brobbey? With forwards being in such high demand and Sunderland having struggled to recruit forwards in the past few seasons it would seem reasonable to assume Brobbey is not someone they would want to lose though undoubtedly there will be interest in the Dutch striker.

Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your questions.

We want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you do.

Find out more here

Gavin Henderson
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland's mathematical safety in the Premier League was confirmed with the point at Wolves on Saturday, yet the potential of what this team can achieve when they put their minds to it has had me lusting for even more recently - and that's left me in a rather strange position as I sit here now.

Eighth place might be enough for a place in the Conference League, and we're only three points behind with two games coming up against teams around us in the table, so it's not completely out of reach... but we need to take something off Manchester United next weekend if we're going to stand any chance.

To do that, we really need to treat these three matches like cup finals - one game at a time, of course, but if we can pick up points, then we'll at least give ourselves a chance going into the final weekend of the season with something to play for, and that should be the goal for us all.

So the manager, the coaches, the players and the fans have to get on the same page this week. I don't think we can manufacture the 'feeling', but we all have a part to play in giving ourselves the best chance of making it happen.

What's the point in writing ourselves off? If we beat Manchester United next weekend - a tall order but not completely unrealistic - then everyone will be feeling really positive about our chances.

It effectively makes those games against Everton and Chelsea six-pointers, as we'd stand half a chance of catching them in the table and moving ahead, and that simply has to be the aim.

We aren't on the beach yet. If anyone is talking about the season being over now, I'd urge them to save that chatter for after the next game, when I imagine the picture of where things are headed will be very clear.

This club has taken us on a magical ride over the past 12 months. It would be foolish to rule out something else really daft happening before the campaign ends.

Find more from Gavin Henderson at Roker Report, external

Former Sunderland winger Martin Smith has had his say on Dan Ballard's sending off at Wolves for a hair pull on Tolu Arokodare.

Smith told BBC Radio Newcastle: "It's not intentional. You're grappling with players and you don't know what you're grabbing. You haven't got a second to think.

"That should be it, the managers should be saying to strikers 'I want your hair growing for that reason'!

"That's not intentional by Ballard and if it happens again and it's not intentional, you're going off."

Ex-Newcastle defender John Anderson added "sometimes common sense needs to be shown".

Hear the chat in full below or listen on BBC Sounds

Former Sunderland captain Gary Bennett says Regis le Bris will have been disappointed his side conceded from a set-piece in the 1-1 draw at Wolves.

Bennett told BBC Radio Newcastle: "I think overall they've got to be happy with that point, especially when you're down to 10 men coming to Wolves.

"They'll be disappointed about the goal they conceded from a set-piece. I think that has been a concern. Early on in the season we defended very well from set-pieces, recently we have been conceding goals - last Friday night against Nottingham Forest and again against Wolves. Regis le Bris will be disappointed about conceding from a set-piece."

Hear the conversation in full below or listen on BBC Sounds

Emlyn Begley
BBC Sport journalist

Bournemouth have claimed the edge in the battle for sixth place in the Premier League - and what could be the strangest Champions League spot yet.

The in-form Cherries' 3-0 win over Crystal Palace helped them overtake Brentford into that position.

Sixth will earn a Europa League place at the very least, with some of the contenders having never qualified for Europe before.

However, both elements needed for sixth place to become a Champions League spot seem quite plausible.

Aston Villa would need to finish in fifth, exactly where they currently reside, and win the Europa League. They trail Nottingham Forest 1-0 after the semi-final first leg, but they are at home for Thursday's return leg.

This scenario will only play out if Villa finish fifth - and not in the top four or below fifth - because of a quirk in Uefa's rules.

The Premier League landed a fifth Champions League place because of the English teams' performances in Europe - something called the European Performance Spot (EPS).

So if Villa win the Europa League and finish fifth, that EPS spot would be passed down to the team in sixth, who would qualify for the Champions League.

However if Villa finish in the top four, winning the Europa League would make no difference to any other English team and the sixth-placed finisher would qualify for the Europa League.

With Aston Villa six points clear in fifth, sixth place appears to be the highest any of the other teams could finish.

At the moment, Bournemouth are on 52 points - one point clear of Brentford, who are one point above Brighton.

The Cherries and the Bees have never played in European competition before, while the Seagulls' only Uefa campaign was in the 2023-24 Europa League.

Chelsea are four points behind Bournemouth, but they have a game in hand against Forest.

Fulham are level on points with Chelsea. Everton, who have a game in hand against Manchester City, and Sunderland are on 47 points - so they are just about in the race.

Newcastle, Crystal Palace and Leeds could still mathematically - but not so realistically - qualify for the Champions League.

Read the full article here

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Wolves and Sunderland.

Here are some of your comments:

Wolves fans

Patrick: Rob Edwards is not the answer. He didn't push on against 10 men who had just lost by five with their best XI on the pitch. Embarrassing.

Tom: Wolves really struggle to take control of games when a player is sent off or the momentum shifts towards them. They really need some more attacking power going into next season, otherwise it will be a very long year.

Raph: Edwards has done as well as could be expected given the situation when he took over. The players sold in the summer and the replacements brought in were all done before he arrived, and then they sold Larsen in January. Wolves are lucky to have him.

Walshie: Shocker of a performance and next season will be another season of struggle. If Edwards is the answer, what is the question?

Sunderland fans

Harry: Total dominance to total stupidity. Fought well for the second time this season to get a point. Ballard needs to have a talk with himself - absolutely needless.

Geoff: How frustrating is this? 1-0 up and looking sharp. Ten men playing 11 in this league just can't work. No matter that, Wolves are doomed to relegation. They are quite rightly playing for pride. On the flip side, an outstanding display by Sunderland's 10 men competing against the hosts extremely well for over 60 minutes. Keep going, lads. Who knows where we'll finish on 24 May?

Edward: Credit to the lads for responding after last week's fiasco and especially after going down to 10 men so early. When are players going to learn about the hair rule? We can have no complaints, but nevertheless, a well-deserved draw.

Sean: Our season is petering out after a really decent effort to get so far clear of relegation so early - and that's fine, but there are little bits of frustration that we're missing opportunities to push up the table. I don't quite see how Ballard's 'hair-pull' is automatically considered violent conduct worthy of a sending-off and three-match ban, even though it's been made clear enough that's the case. The rule needs revisiting at the end of the season to be more proportionate.

Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist

Handballs, offsides and the impact of video assistant referees (VAR) have been huge points of contention in recent years, but is it now time to add hair pulling to the list?

Sunderland defender Dan Ballard became the third player this season to be sent off for pulling an opponent's hair in Saturday's 1-1 draw at relegated Wolves.

Referee Paul Tierney initially took no action, but showed a red card to the centre-back after VAR advised him to check the incident on the pitchside monitor.

As Sunderland fans chanted 'This isn't football', Ballard joined Everton's Michael Keane and Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez in being sent off for a hair pull this season.

Everton and Manchester United both failed in their appeals to get the red cards and their resulting three-game bans overturned, so it is unlikely Ballard and Sunderland will be successful should they make a challenge.

Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, said: "I can't believe I'm on Match of the Day talking about players being sent off for hair pulling. It is ridiculous. The law has to change."

Former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart also gave his view on Match of the Day, adding: "I don't think Dan Ballard is going for his hair, he is trying to get hold of the striker.

"According to the law, that is a red card. But do you want a player being sent off for violent conduct for that?

"It is the physical nature [of the sport], people trying to get hold of their opponent, so it doesn't make any sense."

Read Alex Brotherton's full piece here

Pundits Joe Hart and Wayne Rooney join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Brentford 3-0 West Ham United

• Newcastle United 3-1 Brighton

• Arsenal 3-0 Fulham

Sunderland manager Regis le Bris, speaking to Sky Sports on the race for Europe: "I think we are not thinking about the final position at the end of the season. The most important thing is the next game. If you are a good team, you can beat Manchester United and after that we will see. It is going to be a challenging fixture and I look forward to it. I hope we will be proud at the end of the season."

On Dan Ballard's red card: "I understand the rule and the referee has to execute it. But it is hard to understand in that condition, especially because it was intentionally. There was no violent conduct. I think it's important for the referees and the Premier League to be clear with the rule because in this case, you can't play a duel in case you accidentally grab something. I hope we will have a conversation with the referees to adjust this rule and make it better."

"When the forward has long hair, it's hard. It's important to have this conversation and make the rule clearer."

Did you know?

• Sunderland have earned 47 points in the Premier League this season, only earning more in 1999-00 (58) and 2000-01 (57) in the competition.

• Granit Xhaka's assist for Nordi Mukiele's opener was his sixth in the Premier League this season, the most of any Sunderland player. Only in 2017-18 and 2022-23 (both 7) has he provided more in a single campaign.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It was not immediately clear what the first-half video assistant referee (VAR) check for violent conduct was for.

Once it was established the officials were looking at a hair pull by Dan Ballard then a red card was the only outcome if he was guilty.

The guidance to clubs at the start of the season was very clear, pulling an opponents' hair would be considered a dismissal.

Whether Ballard's actions could be called violent conduct may still be up for debate, but referee Paul Tierney followed the letter of the law.

Previous incidents in the Premier League this season have included Michael Keane - also sent off for tugging Tolu Arokodare's hair - and Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez for a hair pull on Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Everton and Manchester United both failed in their appeals to get the red cards overturned so it would be expected Ballard and Sunderland will also be unsuccessful.

A three-game ban would end the defender's season and leave Sunderland further frustrated as they missed the chance to jump into the middle of the fight for Europe.

As it is they remain on the fringes.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Wolves' performance

What did you make of Sunderland's display?

Come back on Sunday for a selection of your replies

Dan Bentley, Yerson Mosquera and Tolu Arokodare start for already relegated Wolves.

Matt Doherty and Rodrigo Gomes drop to the bench while goalkeeper Jose Sa is injured so Josh Gracey is included in the matchday squad for the first time.

Wolves XI: Bentley, Lima, Mosquera, S Bueno, Toti, H Bueno, Andre, J Gomes, Mane, Armstrong, Arokodare.

Subs: Gracey, Tchatchoua, Doherty, Wolfe, A Gomes, Bellegarde, R Gomes, Edozie, Hwang.

Reinildo and Chemsdine Talbi start for Sunderland as Regis Le Bris makes two changes at Molineux.

It means Habib Diarra and Chris Rigg are among the substitutes while Jocelin Ta Bi returns to the squad after an ankle injury.

The Black Cats have conceded nine goals in their last two games after shipping four at Aston Villa and five at home to Nottingham Forest.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo, Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fee, Hume, Talbi, Brobbey.

Subs: Ellborg, Geertruida, O'Nien, Cirkin, Rigg, Diarra, Mayenda, Isidor, Ta Bi.

There are four games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Brentford v West Ham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Newcastle v Brighton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Wolves v Sunderland

• Arsenal v Fulham (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Brentford v West Ham" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Arsenal v Fulham", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

I'm maybe being foolish here but I am backing Sunderland to respond after their shocker at home to Nottingham Forest last time out.

Black Cats boss Regis le Bris would have been "Regis le Bristle" after that woeful home display and his team looked like they were on the beach.

To continue the maritime theme, Wolves have looked like a fish out of water for most of this Premier League campaign.

They come into this game off the back of three straight defeats without managing a goal and I can see them floundering again here.

Sutton's prediction: 0-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Sophie Brown
BBC Sport journalist

Already relegated Wolves host Sunderland, whose form is also floundering.

Even though it is less than two weeks since Wolves' fate was mathematically sealed, the writing had been on the wall for much longer.

Rob Edwards' side showed glimpses of raging against the dying of the light with a recent run of just one defeat in six league matches – but the past three matches have been a return to the miserable form that has left them bottom for most of the season.

Three straight defeats, eight goals conceded and none scored. Another loss will see Wolves set a new club record of 24 defeats in a 38-game campaign in the top flight.

Wolves have failed to score in a division-high 18 Premier League games this season – although the fact that Sunderland shipped five last time out may give them some hope.

They also have a good record at home to the Black Cats. They are unbeaten in their past seven home league games against Sunderland (W3, D4) – although this is the first time they have hosted them since a 0-0 draw in the Championship in 2017.

Sunderland faltering

Since reaching the mythical 40-point mark, Sunderland seem to have gone off the boil. A famous derby win over Newcastle apart, the Black Cats' recent form has been pretty lacklustre.

Four defeats in their past six games since then include a loss to Port Vale, who have just been relegated to League Two.

Those defeats also include conceding nine goals in their past two matches – their 5-0 drubbing by Nottingham Forest was their joint-heaviest home league defeat, and their worst since the 1950s.

Sunderland's defence was pretty solid in the first half of the season – up to the turn of the year, only top two Arsenal and Manchester City had conceded fewer Premier League goals than the Black Cats' 18.

But since then, only struggling Burnley and Tottenham have conceded more than Sunderland's 27.

Despite this poor form, Sunderland have still exceeded expectations this season, and with a European spot still in reach, there remains plenty to play for.

Image source, Getty Images

Enzo Le Fee has to be weaved into Sunderland's team and ideally in a central position, says former striker Marco Gabbiadini.

Speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle, commentator Nick Barnes said there is a dilemma for Regis le Bris in whether to continue to use Habib Diarra or find a central role for Le Fee.

Barnes explained: "There's a debate that be had about Diarra because if he wants to get the wingers in the team, it means he can push Le Fee into the 10 position or the eight position, which he feels is Le Fee's best position."

And Gabbiadini offered: "Look, it's hard that the dynamic changes for the manager. Sometimes he has to play Le Fee in a wide position because other people are injured.

"But yes, getting him into the middle of the park, he's been so influential and, you know, he sees those little openings and finds little pockets of space, but it can leave you unbalanced in other ways.

"I think if he's fit, he's got to play because he's, he's such a clever footballer. Hard work is brilliant and everyone has to work hard. But, you know, I think at times Diarra is running, but is he running in the right areas?

"Does he need to run? My favourite saying was, 'good players know when to stand still' and Le Fee does that. He makes himself available for his team-mates. So, you know, the manager's got decisions to make."

• Listen to the debate and callers on the Black Cats

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Wolves at Molineux (15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Reflecting on last week's 5-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest, Le Bris said: "It has been a long week and the review was important. The game was a warning about how demanding this league is. When you drop your standards slightly, you get punished. We all have a responsibility, and we have to push forward."

• Wolves have had a "difficult season" but some good results recently at home and will be "generating momentum for next season".

• Jocelin Ta Bi "should be available this weekend". A decision will be made on wingers Nilson Angulo and Bertrand Traore, who are both "in a good place".

• On the pair's possible return: "We tried to find other options but it's not easy. I hope they will help but also, we know they haven't played for a long period so we can't expect a huge impact straight away. Sometimes you have to wait, but it will help."

• Le Bris acknowledged the Black Cats' defensive issues. "I don't know if we dropped our standards or if our opponent found solutions to hurt us. Probably both. We are working hard, it's not easy because it's about small margins."

• On targeting qualifying for Europe: "The players are always ambitious but at the same time, we have to say humble. If you start dreaming, maybe you can drop your standards. Probably the lesson from the previous games, two semi-finalists from the Europa League, nine goals we conceded and this is a lesson about our level right now. So the next challenge is to be competitive, to win and we'll see what the three points mean in the table."

• On finishing above Newcastle: "Hard to say, every game is different. It's important for us to bounce back and then we'll see. You can't control the opponent. I expect different behaviours from the squad (to Forest) then we'll see."

Listen to more from Le Bris speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle on BBC Sounds here or by clicking play on the clip above

Got a question about Sunderland? Get in touch here and we'll ask our experts

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Sunderland's chances for European qualification as they currently sit 12th in the Premier League.

Here are some of your comments:

Dave: Not if they continue to employ a tortoise-versus-hare approach to winning matches, especially in home games.

Stu: I don't think we will make Europe this season. The past two results may have impacted our chances due to the hit in goal difference. Mathematically it is still possible, but realistically I think mid-table 10th or 11th place is looking the likely outcome.

Geoff: No. And no they're not ready. Too inexperienced. Not enough strength in depth and most certainly not a big enough squad. Enjoy our success in our first season back and strengthen in all departments over the summer.

Robert: We're not ready for European football. We need to consolidate next season and push on again. Regis le Bris has been a revelation and I'm sure he will want to address the poor (really poor) performance the other night [against Nottingham Forest] and ensure we finish the last four games stronger. If we can get top 10, then great. Talk of Europe has been fanciful media hype.

David: Will we get into Europe? I sincerely hope not. We're not ready and are ahead of schedule simply by being in the Premier League. No, give us another couple of transfer windows and another season at the very least. Be careful what you wish for as they say.

Ross: I don't understand this obsession with getting European football in the first season back in the Premier league. It has been a huge achievement securing survival so early in the season when every pundit had Sunderland as nailed-on certainties to go down. There needs to be a period of consolidation as we have seen how badly playing in Europe affects league form with the likes of Forest and Crystal Palace.

Felix: I think we could dig in and get the results needed for Europe. We proved at the start of the season that we have the capability and character to get results. I don't think as a team we're ready for Europe yet. The season has been a massive success and we should definitely have Europe in our eyes but use the next year to build a bit of Premier League stability and then push on.