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Chemsdine Talbi said the Sunderland dressing room was frustrated after the 1-1 draw with Wolves but pleased they had been able to respond to the heavy defeat against Nottingham Forest a week previous.

Sunderland were leading 1-0 through a Nordi Mukiele goal and looked in control of the game when Dan Ballard was shown a red card for violent conduct, with referee Paul Tierney ruling after a VAR review that he had ‘clearly’ pulled the hair of Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare. Santiago Bueno scored for the hosts early in the second half but Sunderland responded well and had chances late on to take all three points.

Talbi said Sunderland were disappointed with the result but pleased they had been able to show the spirit with ten that had powered their path to Premier League safety.

“I think we are a little bit frustrated because I think we were the best team on the pitch today, even with 10,” Talbi said.

“But OK, we reacted well from the game against Forest and that was the most important to do. And I think one point is not so bad. We had to react to show the fans that we’re still here for the end of the season and we did a good job on that today. I think three games are really important for us to end well this season. We need to see game by game and try to do the best of it.

“The first job was to stay in the Premier League and we did it, now we need to think game by game and we’ll see where we finish. What was successful for Sunderland is our mentality, our team spirit, how we deal with difficult situations like we did today. This is our force.”

Talbi had been recalled to the starting XI for the first time since scoring in the Tyne-Wear derby in March, and said he was focused on proving his qualities on the pitch.

Talbi said: “When the coach gave me the occasion to play, I need to give everything. Even sometimes I [feel] I deserve to play, but I just need to show on the pitch my qualities and that’s it.”

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Nordi Mukiele and Enzo Le Fée react to Sunderland draw on social media

Le Fee posted: “LET’S NOT GIVE UP. Not the result we were hoping for, but we’ll keep fighting right to the end.”

Mukiele, who opened the scoring with a well-taken header, also struck an upbeat tone. He wrote: “One point, even if we deserve better, but a good fight from the boys! We won’t give up, and we’ll keep going.”

Captain Granit Xhaka reflected on the result in a post on Instagram shortly after the final whistle at Molineux: “Properly frustrated after that one. Still nine points to play for, so let’s finish the season strong.”