Crystal Palace vs Sunderland; Premier League
Crystal Palace vs Sunderland. Premier League.
Selhurst ParkAttendance25,154.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Sunderland: Eagles rue missed chances and Robin Roefs heroics to settle for point at Selhurst Park
Match report and free match highlights as Sunderland frustrate Crystal Palace to earn point at Selhurst Park; Yeremy Pino missed a first-half one-on-one on his Selhurst debut; Robin Roefs was in inspired form in the second half
Saturday 13 September 2025 20:36, UK
Crystal Palace were forced to settle for a point after a frustrating goalless draw against newly promoted Sunderland at Selhurst Park.
Palace had the better chances but an overall lack of quality in the final third, and Robin Roefs' heroics saw a dominant Eagles side frustrated.
- As it happened | Teams | Match stats
- Live Premier League table | Watch PL highlights for free
- Got Sky? Watch PL games LIVE on your phone📱
- Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW📺
There was no better chance than Yeremy Pino's first-half one-on-one. The summer signing from Villarreal made his full debut for Palace after impressing off the bench during the international break.
It almost turned into a dream start to life for the Spain international when Daichi Kamada poked a ball into his path. However, in a chance that appeared harder to miss, he was wide of the mark.
Palace's new No 10 will look back on his full debut as a frustrating one, where he showed sparks of what the £26m signing could bring.
In the second half, his magnificent drop of the shoulder to beat Granit Xhaka was a bright spark, but the resulting pass into the path of Jean-Philippe Mateta left a lot to be desired.
Mateta very nearly broke the deadlock late on, however. Daniel Munoz's fired cross into the box deflected into his path, but Roefs made the save - with his shoulder - in a sequence he knew very little about.
Roefs was in inspired form throughout, making six total saves, keeping out efforts from Kamada, and substitute Christantus Uche late on, while his counterpart, Dean Henderson, in the other net, remained relatively untested.
Despite a late push, Palace were unable to find a breakthrough. The draw means Palace maintain their unbeaten start to the season but stay below Sunderland in the table, having taken six points to the Black Cats' seven this term.
Roefs proves worth with game-saving display
Roefs' six saves in an impressive goalkeeping display will add confidence in Sunderland's battle to beat the drop. The three promoted sides have a very real and recent history of odds to defy with the clubs that came up from the second tier demoted instantly last term.
Sunderland have already impressed. On the opening day, they showed how they can quickly get onto the front foot to score goals, while against Brentford, they showed they could dig in to win games late on.
Against Palace, they were up against it in a cauldron of noise but they could rely on Roefs. A lot is said about goal scorers when it comes to teams fighting against relegation, but a solid, reliable pair of hands will never go amiss.
With his saves, he prevented 1.59 goals, which ultimately gained his side a point. It's those points that will prove the difference come May. Amid all of the business Sunderland did in the summer, the 22-year-old signing from the Netherlands could prove to be the most crucial should his performances sustain.
New look Palace attack will take time to gel
Oliver Glasner said that "60 per cent" of his side's goals from last season were missing during his side's goalless draw against Sunderland. Ismaila Sarr missed the clash due to injury, while Eberechi Eze has moved on to pastures new.
That meant that Glasner had the opportunity to field his new No 10. There were flashes of real brilliance, but the chance that will play on in his memory from his full debut will be the chance that he missed. But Glasner was quick to ensure context was applied. He explained his new attack had just one training session to prepare ahead of this one.
Daichi Kamada and Jean-Philippe Mateta also made up the front three, and for the most part, the latter was starved. When he was brought into play, the final pass lacked the finesse that only comes with reps. The trio helped contribute to a total xG of 0.2 in a tepid first half.
There were signs of positivity beyond Eberechi Eze with Pino introduced, but it's clear more has to be done.
Glasner: We deserved to win but Sunderland had a great 'keeper
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner:
"I think especially at the end, we deserved to win the game, but Sunderland had a great goalkeeper today who had three, four incredible saves.
"We missed one or two chances, and then if we don't score, then it's important not to lose. I think we were very consistent defensively. Again, we give them one chance in the first half.
"It's an exceptional effort of the team, each other, everything else, I think we controlled really well. But yes, in scoring goals was not our best in terms of efficiency; it was not our best performance.
"And then it's a draw, but still unbeaten. So it feels a little bit it could have been more, but it's all good."
Le Bris: We knew Palace would be our biggest challenge
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris:
"I think we prepared this game properly, and the picture was the picture expected during the week, and we played a good first half, dominating the ball. But it's not enough.
"You have to create chances. You have to threaten the opponent's defence. So we had a couple of opportunities, maybe one more, two more, to cross and to be a bit more impactful in the box, but it didn't happen. It's possible, but the first layers are positive. Now we have to push more.
"Every game is a unique challenge. And this game against Crystal Palace away, we knew before that it was probably the toughest challenge from the beginning of the season."
