Sunderland secured a well-deserved point against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, showcasing grit and determination that could be crucial for their survival in the Premier League. Despite being considered underdogs, the Black Cats battled tenaciously against an opponent on a 14-match unbeaten streak across all competitions.
Key Highlights:
- Sunderland’s Tenacious Display: The team’s performance was marked by sublime goalkeeping and a strong defensive display, which ultimately earned them a share of the spoils.
- Missing Players: Enzo Le Fée was unexpectedly absent due to a “small injury,” and Simon Adingra took his place in the lineup. Wilson Isidor started at the point of attack, scoring opportunities for Sunderland.
- Close Calls: Crystal Palace’s Yeremy Pino had two notable chances to score, including a shot that trickled past the upright in the 35th minute. Sunderland’s goalkeeper, Robin Roefs, made crucial saves to maintain parity.
- Gameplay: The match saw periods of dominance from both teams, with Sunderland dictating tempo and Palace posing a threat on the break. The game became bogged down in the second half due to the wet turf, with both teams struggling to create scoring opportunities.
Match Statistics:
- Possession: Crystal Palace dominated possession with 54%, while Sunderland had 46%.
- Shots: Crystal Palace had 13 shots, with 6 on target, while Sunderland had 6 shots, with 1 on target.
- Corners: Crystal Palace earned 5 corner kicks, while Sunderland had 3 ¹.
Head-to-Head Record:
- Matches Played: 15 games since 2003, with Crystal Palace winning 6, Sunderland winning 6, and 3 draws.
- Goals Scored: Crystal Palace scored 23 goals, while Sunderland scored 22 ².
Next Matches:
- Sunderland: Upcoming matches include Premier League fixtures against Aston Villa on September 21 and Nottingham Forest on September 28.
- Crystal Palace: Their next matches include Premier League fixtures against Liverpool on September 27 and West Ham United on September 20 ³.
