Crystal Palace held 0-0 by Sunderland as Yeremy Pino impresses on full debut
Unbeaten run extended to 15 games but Palace spurn late chances; Sunderland’s summer overhaul and new keeper Robin Roefs earn praise
Crystal Palace were held to a 0-0 draw by newly promoted Sunderland at Selhurst Park on Saturday, extending the Eagles' unbeaten run to 15 games in all competitions while the visitors took a point that took them to seven from four Premier League matches.
The goalless stalemate was played out under late pressure from Palace, who missed several opportunities to win the game, but Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs produced a string of fine saves to preserve the point. Palace manager Oliver Glasner described his side as deserving to win but lamented the lack of finishing.
Yeremy Pino, making his full debut after joining from Villarreal last month, emerged as Palace’s most dangerous outlet and showed signs he can help fill the creative void left by Eberechi Eze. The 15-cap Spain international squandered a clear chance when through on goal in the first half and later threatened again after switching to the left flank.
“I’m very pleased with his performance,” Glasner said. “He will have to adapt but he was good and it gives me a good feeling that he will score goals for us.” Christantus Uche was introduced from the bench late in the match but the hosts could not unlock Sunderland’s defence.
Sunderland, managed by Regis Le Bris, arrived at Selhurst Park riding the momentum of a major summer recruitment drive: the club spent about £161 million on 15 players, a record outlay for a promoted side. Only two members of the Black Cats’ starting XI here featured for the club last season, but the group looked well organised and resolute against their hosts.
Le Bris defended the decision to replace last season’s cup-winning goalkeeper Anthony Patterson with the Dutch signing Roefs, whose reflex saves and handling were decisive in the result. “We need players at that level in the Premier League otherwise we won’t exist,” Le Bris said. “He is a really good goalkeeper and for me the performance is not a surprise.”
Palace dominated possession for significant periods and fashioned a number of late openings, yet the target repeatedly eluded them. Glasner noted the contrast between control of matches and finishing, saying: “I’m a little bit disappointed because I think we deserved to win the game. Today was not our best day regarding scoring goals, but if you don't score it's important not to lose.”
The draw maintained Palace’s strong defensive run — the side had conceded only once in six matches across competitions — but highlighted a persistent challenge for Glasner in converting territory and chances into goals. Sunderland left Selhurst Park with a positive away showing and an early-season points tally that underlines the impact of their summer rebuild.
Both sides will look to build on the match in their upcoming fixtures: Palace to turn their domination into more convincing wins and Sunderland to continue proving that their investment and squad overhaul can sustain Premier League survival and progress.