Sunderland's hunt for their first points of the Premier League Cup continues after a narrow defeat on the road against last year's beaten finalists Wolves. Dylan Scicluna's second-half header made it two defeats from two for Graeme Murty's side in what was a tight, nervy affair.
Sunderland did have chances of their own to get back into the tie through Michael Spellman, Caden Kelly and Tommy Watson, but none of those were able to find past Andreas Sondergaard in the Wolves goal. The hosts themselves could have won by a greater margin in the second-half, but they were unable to made Sunderland's lapses in concentration pay.
A nervous start from Ben Crompton saw his clearance charged down by Aaron Keto-Diyawa. The Wolves winger was baring down on goal but the Black Cats defender recovered to guide it out for a goal kick.
READ MORE: Wolves U21s 1-0 Sunderland highlights and reaction
In truth, it was a cagey start to the game with the both defences on top and the midfields competing for possession, with it turning over regularly. Sunderland were able to build from the back well, but the lacked the final ball to fashion any chances.
There was another scare at the back for Jacob Carney, who gave away a cheap goal last week under pressure, his clearance against Southampton was charged down and resulted in a goal. This time he spared his own blushes by chopping back inside to avoid the onrushing Owen Farmer.
Sunderland did grow into the game and had a good ten minute spell of possession, with some great work from Harrison Sohna in the left-hand channel saw him dig out a cross towards Spellman in the middle. The Black Cats winger couldn't get enough on it under pressure and Wolves were able to clear their lines.
The balance of the tie then shifted in favour of the hosts, who had two penalty appeals waved away in quick succession. Farmer went down under pressure from Newall in the most likely of the two, but nothing given with Michael Agboola heading Keto-Diyama's cross immediately after.
The first real chance of the game went Sunderland's way with Tommy Watson finding space in the middle of the pitch, he drove towards the box, with Wolves scampering men behind the ball, the Black Cats winger shaped up for a shot from 25-yards out, which was tipped over the bar by Sondergaard.
The hosts then pushed to find the opener before the half-time whistle, John Esen picked out Farmer on the edge of the box with Sohna slipping, allowing the Wolves striker to take a touch, set himself, but his shot was deflected behind for a corner which Carney punched clear. There was very little inside the opening 45 minutes to suggest Wolves were a side in the division above and Sunderland were one struggling in Premier League 2 Division 2.
The hosts started brightly in the second-half with Zak Johnson's loose pass intercepted by Hodnett on the right. He drove infield and tried to curl a left-footed effort from the edge of the box, but it was easily gathered by Carney.
Wolves made their early second-half pressure count, with a degree of good fortune. Farmer's cross was poorly cleared by substitute Ben Middlemas, looping up into the air and the unmarked Scicluna nodded the ball into the back of the net.
Sunderland did try to bounce back immediately, Kelly's shot from the edge of the box cannoned of the right-hand post before Michael Spellman forced Sondergaard into a smart save down to his left.
Hodnett then had a brilliant opportunity to double Wolves' lead. The number ten was played in behind the Sunderland defence and his first-time effort was well held down low by Carney.
The Black Cats went close to grabbing an equaliser with the ball dropping to Kelly on the edge of the area, his half-volley was well held down low by Sondergaard. Both sides were pushing for a goal in the final ten minutes of the game.
Esen curled an effort over the top of the crossbar at one end, while Spellman was played through at the other end only to be denied by a last ditch challenge.
Wolves XI: Sondergaard, Matheson (Birtwistle 71), Richards (Harkin 78), Tipton, Agboola (Pond 46), Kandola, Esen, Lembikisa (Scicluna 46), Farmer (He 82), Hodnett, Keto-Diyawa.
Subs not used: N/A
Goal: Scicluna (58)
Sunderland XI: Carney, Kachosa, Crompton, Newall, Burke (Chiabi 57), Sohna (Middlemas 57), Spellman, Kelly (Robinson 77), Watson, Gardiner
Subs not used: Cameron, Wilson.
Goals:
READ NEXT:
- Sunderland show silk and steel to win at Birmingham, as Tony Mowbray breathes a sigh of relief
- Sunderland lose Dennis Cirkin to injury, as Tony Mowbray explains who will be back to face Millwall
- Birmingham boss John Eustace brands Sunderland goals 'really sloppy' after home defeat
- Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray on 'amazing' Amad after starring role in Birmingham win
- Sunderland player ratings as Amad stars with stunning goal and an assist in Birmingham City win
