First the positive news for Crystal Palace. Oliver Glasner’s side are now 15 matches unbeaten in a run that stretches back to their 5-0 thrashing by Newcastle in mid-April. But having endured a dramatic end to the transfer window that saw chair Steve Parish pull the plug on captain Marc Guéhi’s move to Liverpool, Glasner was hoping for more from this meeting with promoted Sunderland.
While Guéhi was barely troubled as he eased back into his role on the left side of Palace’s three-man defence with the minimum of fuss, they deservedly left with a point after thriving in the role of spoilers.
Régis Le Bris had clearly done his homework as his side frustrated Palace and Robin Roefs was outstanding in goal for the visitors, who picked up their first point of the new campaign on the road and look a decent bet for survival on this evidence.
For Glasner, it was a disappointing result that will be tempered by encouraging performances from new signings Yéremy Pino and Christantus Uche, who both came close to making themselves instant heroes but couldn’t find a way past Roefs.
“I was very pleased with Pino’s performance but the cherry on top would have been a goal,” said the Palace manager, who felt his side should have had a penalty when Uche went down in the box late on. “I’m sure they will score many goals for us.”
The absence of Adam Wharton and Ismaïla Sarr due to injuries they picked up before the international break meant a reshuffle in midfield, with Pino handed his first start. The Spain international has big boots to fill if he is to replace Eberechi Eze and showed some impressive touches, although he will still be wondering how he didn’t score.
Le Bris had recognised the challenge facing Sunderland after losing their opening away match of the campaign against Burnley, although his team arrived in south London full of confidence thanks to their two victories to start the season at home.
The visitors’ midfield – anchored by the evergreen Granit Xhaka – gave Palace no space as the home supporters became increasingly frustrated with the referee, Thomas Bramall. When they did find a way through courtesy of Daichi Kamada’s superb pass, Pino could only put his shot wide with the goal gaping. It needed a well-timed block at the other end from Tyrick Mitchell to keep out Chemsdine Talbi’s effort at the back post after he was picked out by Simon Adingra.
It wasn’t much of a spectacle but a delightful shimmy from Pino that left Xhaka for dead at the start of the second half got the crowd out of their seats. Suddenly Palace smelled blood and Pino was presented with his second golden chance of the afternoon when Roefs pushed Jean-Philippe Mateta’s volley from a Mitchell cross straight into his path. But Pino couldn’t believe his luck when his effort was deflected over by the impressive Omar Alderete, who barely put a foot wrong all afternoon.
A heavy downpour made conditions difficult and Wilson Isidor was almost able to take advantage when Palace failed to clear a long throw, only for the Frenchman to volley wide. Palace seemed to be feeling the effects of their heavy schedule as they struggled to create another opportunity to snatch the victory until Kamada forced Roefs into a full-stretch save at his near post.
Mateta saw the Dutchman somehow keep out his volley from Daniel Muñoz’s cross with his head. Uche almost won it two minutes from time after coming off the bench, with Roefs then producing an even better stop to keep out Kamada’s follow-up. “I think we need players at that level in the Premier League otherwise we won’t exist,” acknowledged Le Bris. “I’m really happy with his performance.”
