Report & Highlights: Palace held to a draw by stubborn Sunderland

Summary:

• Oliver Glasner gives Yeremy Pino a home debut in red and blue, with Jefferson Lerma also returning to the starting line-up.
• 15: Sadiki gets in behind the Palace but fires off-target.
• 20: Pino shoots just wide from outside the box with Roefs beaten.
• 35: Pino gets in behind the Sunderland defence but can’t find the net, instead shooting just wide.
• 41: A superb last-ditch block from Mitchell denies Talbi.
• HT: Palace 0-0 Sunderland
• 50: Mateta forces a super save from Roefs, after an excellent Mitchell cross.
• 58: Isidor hooks an effort just wide from a long-throw.
• 72: Kamada is denied as Palace start to force the visitors back.
• 88: Uche very nearly finds the winner – only to be denied by Roefs.
• FT: Palace 0-0 Sunderland

Palace created plenty of chances against the Black Cats – particularly in the second-half, but were denied by an excellent goalkeeping display.

The point ensures it is now 15 games without loss in all competitions, and maintains our unbeaten start to the new Premier League season.

Yeremy Pino made his home debut from the start, replacing the injured Ismaïla Sarr – and was Palace’s main bright spark in the early stages. One lovely flick round the corner from the Spain international nearly released Jean-Philippe Mateta early on, only for the forward to be denied by some tight Sunderland defending.

At the other end, Noah Sadiki should have made Dean Henderson work after a clever set-piece routine, but could only shoot wide when well placed.

Pino had Palace’s first real sighting of goal, making room on the half-turn before firing just wide of the post in the 20th minute.

In truth, chances were at a premium throughout the first-half, but when a glorious one did arrive, the debutant was again involved.

After good work from Will Hughes, Daichi Kamada released Pino with a perfect threaded pass. Pino’s run was timed to perfection, his finish agonisingly going just wide of the post.

At the other end the Black Cats did carry a threat. Chemsdine Talbi would have almost certainly put them in front with a close-range volley, only for Tyrick Mitchell to throw his body on the line with a wonderful block.

Neither side probably deserved a goal for their first-half efforts, but Palace had created the best moment of the game.

Into the second-half, and Pino was one again the focal point for the Eagles, producing a love dummy to run at the Sunderland defence and nearly find Mateta who was narrowly beaten to the ball by Robin Roefs.

The French forward very nearly had the opener moments later, meeting Mitchell’s bending cross at the near post, only for the Sunderland keeper to again be alert and make a good save – Pino’s follow-up effort deflected over the crossbar.

Yet Sunderland continued to hang in the contest. Wilson Isidor very nearly opened the scoring when connected with a long-throw into the Palace area, in the end hooking an effort barely past the post.

Glasner then threw on Justin Devenny, fresh from his goalscoring international exploits, in an attempt to find a breakthrough.

The Black Cats continued to press with Habib Diarra’s effort not far away, before Kamada’s low drive from the edge of the box forced a wonderful stop from Roefs.

At that point it felt like it wouldn’t be the Eagles’ afternoon, with the Sunderland goalkeeper producing a top display.

Yet Glasner’s side did continue to push forward. Mateta forced a stunning save from Roefs after a deflected Muñoz cross, although the assistant referee indicated offside meaning it would have gone to a VAR review had the ball found the net.

Christantus Uche then made his Palace debut, replacing Pino to a great reception – and very nearly made a dramatic introduction.

Following a Mitchell cross, the ball fell kindly for the Nigerian at the back post but Roefs blocked his effort. Kamada followed up with an excellent drive that seemed destined for the net, only for the Sunderland keeper again to find a response.

That proved to be the best chance in the closing stages as Sunderland saw out five minutes of injury time.

Palace return to action on Tuesday in the Carabao Cup against Millwall.

Palace: Henderson (GK), Muñoz, Richards, Lacroix, Guéhi, Mitchell, Hughes, Lerma (Devenny, 68) Pino (Uche, 84), Kamada, Mateta.

Subs: Benítez (GK), Clyne, Canvot, Sosa, Rodney, Cardines, Esse.

Sunderland: Roefs (GK), Hume, Mukiele, Alderete, Mandava, Diarra, Xhaka, Sadiki (Geertruida, 84), Talbi, Adingra (Brobbey, 69), Isidor (Rigg, 94).

Subs: Patterson (GK), Neil, Maydena, Traore, Masuaku, Jones.

AS IT HAPPENED