KARL WHITEHOUSE SHARES THE HISTORY OF WOLVES V SUNDERLAND
First Meetings
Premier League – The first meeting of the two clubs in the Premier League was on the 27th September 2009 the game finished 5-2 to Sunderland.
Championship – The first meeting of the two clubs in Championship was on the 2nd November 2004 the game finished 3-1 to Sunderland.
Division 1 – The first meeting of the two clubs in Division 1 was on the 15th September 1890 the game finished 3-4 to Wolves.
Division 2 – The first meeting of the two clubs in Division 2 was on the 11th November 1979 the game finished 1-1.
FA Cup – The first meeting of the two clubs in the FA Cup was in the 4th February 1905 in the first round the game finished 1-1.
Football League War Cup – The first meeting of the two clubs in the Football League War Cup was on the 23rd May 1942 first leg the game finished 2-2.
League Cup – The first meeting of the two clubs in the league cup 2nd Round 1st Leg was on the 5th October 1982 the game finished 1-1.
Match of the Day
There was a game near the date of the upcoming meeting which played on the 19th October 1935 the game finished 4-3 to Sunderland.
Most Recent Meetings
FA Cup – The most recent game was in the Quarter Final on the 12th March 1955 the game finished 2-0 to Sunderland.
League Cup – The most recent game was in the Second-Round 2nd Leg on the 27th October 1982 the game finished 5-0 to Sunderland.
Premier League – The most recent game was on the 14th April 2012 the game finished 0-0.
Championship – The most recent game was on the 6th May 2018 the game finished 3-0 to Sunderland.
Division 1 – The most recent game was on the 20th February 1999 the game finished 2-1 to Sunderland.
Division 2 – The most recent game was on the 29th February 1992 the game finished 1-0 to Wolves.
Last 6 Matches
27th November 2010 Wolves 3 Sunderland 2 at Molineux Stadium (Premier League)
14th May 2011 Sunderland 1 Wolves 3 at Stadium of Light (Premier League)
4th December 2011 Wolves 2 Sunderland 1 at Molineux (Premier League)
14th April 2012 Sunderland 0 Wolves 0 at Stadium of Light (Premier League)
9th December 2017 Wolves 0 Sunderland 0 at Molineux (Championship)
6th May 2018 Sunderland 3 Wolves 0 at Stadium of Light (Championship)
Pre Season Friendlies
23rd April 1889 Drawn game 1-1
11th May 1889 Drawn game 1-1
14th October 1889 Wolves won game 4-1
8th April 1890 Drawn game 2-2
14th June 1967 Wolves won game 5-1
5th May 2014 Wolves won game 4-1
Biggest Wins
Division 2 – The biggest win between the two clubs was on the 7th December 1991 the game finished 1-0 to Wolves.
Division 1 – The biggest win between the two clubs was on the 4th November 1905 the game finished 5-2 to Wolves.
Premier League – The biggest win between the two clubs was on the 27th November 2010 the game finished 3-2 to Wolves.
FA Cup – The biggest win between the two clubs was in the 3rd Round on the 28th February 1951 in a quarter final replay the game finished 3-1 to Wolves.
Do you remember the last Premier League meeting?
Sunderland 1 Wolves 3 14th May 2011
This was billed as a relegation six-pointer. Wolves began cagily, letting the home side, Sunderland, have plenty of the ball, though neither team created a clear chance early on.
Sunderland probed for openings but found little space in the Wolves defense. The visitors stood firm, and Sunderland’s best moment came when Zenden struck the woodwork.
Wolves took the lead from a set piece. A corner was only partially cleared, and Craddock met it with a close-range volley, celebrating in front of the traveling support.
Sunderland responded with sustained pressure but could not break through, while Wolves threatened on the counter. Sunderland, however, snuffed out those breaks before they turned dangerous.
The hosts equalized before the break when Sessegnon finished from close range after being played in.
As halftime approached, chances were limited for both sides.
Half Time: Sunderland 1–1 Wolves
Wolves started the second half stronger, sensing a chance to win it. Fletcher found good pockets of space and had two chances, one ruled out for offside and another cleared.
Wolves retook the lead when Fletcher finally scored from close range after a Jarvis cross caused confusion in the Sunderland box.
Jarvis and Hunt kept causing problems on the counter, and Sunderland struggled to contain them.
Sunderland made changes to chase an equalizer, but Wolves defended their area well and dealt with set pieces confidently.
The match became end-to-end, with chances at both ends. Wolves made theirs count when Elokobi rose highest to head in a deep cross, putting the game out of reach.
Sunderland pushed from all areas of the pitch but could not convert their opportunities.
Wolves made late substitutions to manage the game and saw out a massive three points.
Full Time: Sunderland 1–3 Wolves
Sunderland: Mignolet, Elmohamady, Onuoha, Bramble, Bardsley, Henderson, Cattermole, Sessegnon, Malbranque, Gyan, Welbeck. Subs: Gordon, Colback, Zenden, Ferdinand, Riveros, Angeleri, Noble. Goal: Sessegnon (34) Manager: Steve Bruce
Wolves: Hennessey, Foley, Craddock, Stearman, Elokobi, Jarvis, Henry, O’Hara, Hunt, Ward, Fletcher. Subs: Hahnemann, Berra, Jones, Guedioura, Mancienne, Milijaš, Ebanks-Blake. Goals: Craddock (23), Fletcher (54), Elokobi (78) Manager: Mick McCarthy
Attendance: 41,273
Biggest Defeats
Division 2 – The biggest defeats between the two clubs was on the 29th February 1992 the game finished 1-0 to Sunderland.
Division 1 – The biggest defeat between the two clubs was on the 10th March 1906 the game finished 7-2 to Sunderland.
Championship – The biggest defeat between the two clubs was on the 2nd November 2004 the game finished 3-1 to Sunderland.
Premier League – The biggest defeat between the two clubs was on the 27th September 2009 the game finished 5-2 to Sunderland.
FA Cup – The biggest defeat was on the 15th March 1937 in the Quarter Final Replay the game finished 4-0 to Sunderland.
League Cup – The biggest defeat was on the 27th October 1982 in the Second-Round 2nd leg the game finished 5-0 to Sunderland.
Do you remember this classic game?
Sunderland 1 Wolves 1 3rd September 1994
Before kickoff, both teams observed a minute’s silence in memory of Billy Wright, who had passed away that morning.
Both sides started nervously. Sunderland looked to attack down the wings, while Wolves used Kelly’s pace with direct passes. It was a midfield battle early on, with only half chances.
Sunderland then raised the tempo, winning several corners and free kicks. Wolves had to defend deep to keep them out.
The opening goal came for Sunderland when Phil Gray finished neatly from close range after a move through the Wolves midfield.
Wolves reacted well after going behind, pressing higher. Stowell was called into action with a series of good saves from crosses to stop Sunderland extending their lead.
Sunderland looked the more likely to score again, pressing high and causing problems with their defensive line and long throws.
Wolves grew into the game with more intensity, winning set pieces and forcing Sunderland to defend. Before halftime, Wolves equalized when Mark Venus scored from the edge of the area after a corner was cleared.
Halftime arrived with the teams level after a strong half from both.
Half Time: Sunderland 1–1 Wolves
The second half began with both sides making tactical tweaks to find a go-ahead goal.
Sunderland kept pressing with crosses and shots from distance that did not trouble the keeper. Wolves had their moments on the counter, with efforts either missing or hitting the target without beating the goalie.
As the hour mark approached, both teams continued to create. Sunderland had a couple of chances, while Wolves tried their luck from range. The game turned a bit scrappy in spells.
Wolves brought on fresh legs to push for the lead, looking to get more players into the Sunderland box.
Both teams committed bodies forward in search of a winner. Wolves then shifted into a more defensive shape to protect the draw, while Sunderland used overlapping fullbacks and late runs. Wolves held firm with clearances and saves from Stowell.
Near the end, Sunderland almost took the lead with a header cleared off the line. Wolves also threatened on the counter, but nothing came of it.
A series of late Sunderland free kicks caused no real issues, and the match petered out into a draw.
Full Time: Sunderland 1–1 Wolves
Sunderland: Norman, Owers, Kubicki, Ord, Ferguson, Ball, Atkinson, Goodman, P. Gray, M. Gray, Russell. Subs: Cunnington, Howey, Chamberlain. Goal: P. Gray (22) Manager: Mick Buxton
Wolves: Stowell, Smith, Thompson, Emblen, Blades, Shirtliff, Birch, Venus, Stewart, D. Kelly, Ferguson. Subs: Rankine, Thomas, Jones. Goal: Venus (43) Manager: Graham Taylor
Attendance: 15,111
HEAD TO HEAD
Playing for both clubs
Danny Batth
Played for Wolves 2009-2019 made 212 appearances and scored 16 goals played for Sunderland made 55 appearances and scored 1 goal.
Joachim Bjorklund
Played for Sunderland 2002-2004 made 57 appearances played for Wolves 2004-2005 in a loan spell made 3 appearances.
Gary Breen
Played for Sunderland 2003-2006 made 107 appearances and scored 7 goals played for Wolves 2006-2008 made 59 appearances and scored 1 goal.
Paul Butler
Played for Sunderland 1998-2001 made 79 appearances and scored 3 goals played for Wolves 2000-2004 including a loan spell made 124 appearances and scored 3 goals.
Neil Collins
Played for Sunderland 2004-2007 made 24 appearances and scored 2 goals played for Wolves 2006-2009 including a loan spell made 97 appearances and scored 10 goals
David Connolly
Played for Wolves 1998-1999 in a loan spell made 35 appearances and scored 6 goals played for Sunderland 2006-2009 made 42 appearances and scored 13 goals.
Jody Craddock
Played for Sunderland 1997-2003 made 168 appearances and scored 5 goals played for Wolves 2003-2013 made 237 appearances and scored 17 goals.
Peter Daniel
Played for Wolves 1978-1984 made 157 appearances and scored 13 goals played for Sunderland 1984-1985 made 34 appearances.
Carlos Edwards
Played for Sunderland 2007-2009 made 56 appearances and scored 5 goals played for Wolves 2008 in a loan spell made 6 appearances.
Stephen Elliott
Played for Sunderland 2004-2007 made 88 appearances and scored 23 goals played for Wolves 2007-2008 made 32 appearances and scored 6 goals.
Steven Fletcher
Played for Wolves 2010-2012 made 68 appearances and scored 24 goals played for Sunderland 2012-2016 made 108 appearances and scored 23 goals.
Don Goodman
Played for Sunderland 1991-1994 made 116 appearances and scored 40 goals played for Wolves 1994-1998 made 125 appearances and scored 33 goals.
Michael Gray
Played for Sunderland 1992-2004 made 363 appearances and scored 16 goals played for Wolves 2007-2009 made 41 appearances and scored 4 goals.
Rob Hindmarch
Played for Sunderland 1977-1984 made 115 appearances and scored 2 goals played for Wolves 1990-1991 made 40 appearances and scored 2 goals.
David Kelly
Played for Wolves 1993-1995 made 103 appearances and scored 36 goals Played for Sunderland 1995-1997 made 40 appearances and scored 2 goals.
Dariusz Kubicki
Played for Sunderland 1994-1997 including a loan spell made 136 appearances played for Wolves 1997-1998 made 13 appearances.
Joleon Lescott
Played for Wolves 2000-2006 made 235 appearances and scored 12 goals played for Sunderland 2016-2017 made 2 appearances.
Jack Mitton
Played for Sunderland 1920-1924 made 79 appearances and scored 8 goals played for Wolves 1924-1927 made 100 appearances and scored 6 goals.
Alex Rae
Played for Sunderland 1996-2001 made 114 appearances and scored 12 goals played for Wolves 2001-2004 made 107 appearances and scored 15 goals.
Carl Robinson
Played for Wolves 1995-2002 made 181 appearances and scored 23 goals played for Sunderland 2004-2006 including a loan spell made 57 appearances and scored 5 goals.
Paul Stewart
Played for Wolves 1994 in a loan spell made 8 appearances and scored 2 goals played for Sunderland 1995-1997 including a loan spell made 36 appearances and scored 5 goals.
Others Who Played for Both Clubs
George Aitken, Tommy Allen, Bobby Best, Joe Blackett, Mick Coady, Kevin Cooper, Billy Ellis, Darron Gibson, George Goddard, Danny Graham, Greg Halford, George Harper, Ian Harte, Danny Hegan, Albert Heywood, Harry Hooper, Martin Johnson, Kevin Kyle, Teddy Maguire, Alfred N’Diaye, Reg Parkin, Dion Sanderson, Harry Scott, Harry Shaw, Nicky Summerbee, Harry Thompson, Darren Ward, Guy Wharton.
Played, Managed, Coached Both Teams
Ian Atkins
Played for Sunderland made 77 appearances and scored 6 goals and Wolves European Recruitment Scout 2019-2020.
Ian Evans
Sunderland Assistant Manager 2003-2006 and Wolves assistant manager and scout 2006-2012
Ken Knighton
Played for Wolves 1960-1966 made 16 appearances and managed Sunderland 1979-1981.
Brian Little
Wolves Caretaker Manager 2006 and Sunderland Trial.
Bobby Mimms
Played for Sunderland in a loan spell 1986-1987 made 4 appearances and Wolves goalkeeping coach 2001-2008
Mick McCarthy
Managed Sunderland 2003-2006 and managed Wolves 2006-2012.
Chris Turner
Played for Sunderland 1978-1985 made 195 appearances and Wolves youth coach 1995-1998.
Mark Venus
Played for Wolves 1988-1997 made 287 appearances scored 7 goals and Sunderland Assistant Manager 2022-2023.
ARTICLE BY KARL WHITEHOUSE
’ve been a dedicated Wolves fan for over 30 years, supporting the team through the highs and lows of the 80s, 90s, and 00s. I’ve followed them home and away, growing my love for the game into a passion for analyzing Wolves’ performances, especially diving into the stats behind their Premier League matches.
As the go-to person for Wolves stats on podcasts, I also love exploring football history for deeper insights. One of my proudest achievements is completing the journey to all 92 Football League grounds.