Daichi Kamada scored a stoppage-time equaliser to give Crystal Palace a 1-1 draw with TSG Hoffenheim in the Europa League, rescuing a point after Adam Wharton was sent off and Palace had to finish with 10 men. The result was a much-needed lifeline for under-pressure manager Pierre Sage, whose side had lost three consecutive Premier League matches.
Palace arrived at Selhurst Park desperate for a response, with the club sitting in the relegation zone and questions growing over Sage’s future in the job. Their defensive problems resurfaced early, however, as Alexander Prass opened the scoring for Hoffenheim in the seventh minute. His effort squirmed underneath Dean Henderson after the hosts were caught on the counter.
Sage’s side showed some attacking promise but struggled to turn possession into clear-cut chances. Hoffenheim looked dangerous whenever they broke forward. Henderson produced an excellent save to deny Andrej Kramaric from close range, and Palace’s evening then worsened when Wharton received a second yellow card in the 77th minute for catching Wouter Burger with his arm in an aerial challenge.
With another damaging defeat looking inevitable, Kamada struck in stoppage time. Yeremy Pino delivered a cross into the area, Tyrick Mitchell nodded the ball down, and Kamada finished through the goalkeeper’s legs to bring relief around Selhurst Park and give Sage a precious moment of respite.
The draw leaves Palace with plenty to address, particularly defensively, but the manner of the late equaliser could prove significant for a manager whose position has come under increasing scrutiny. Sage will breathe easier, although this was hardly a performance to silence his critics ahead of Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Liverpool.
Key moments from Selhurst Park
- 7: Goal! Prass puts Hoffenheim ahead as Henderson lets his effort slip underneath him.
- 24: Save! Henderson produces a brilliant stop to deny Kramaric from close range.
- 67: Chance! Pino goes one on one, but Oliver Baumann comes out on top.
- 77: Red card! Wharton is sent off after picking up a second yellow card.
- 90+1: Goal! Kamada strikes late to rescue a point for 10-man Palace.
Sage defends Disasi omission
Sage refused to explain why Axel Disasi was left out of Palace’s matchday squad for the Hoffenheim draw, insisting the decision was an internal matter. He delivered a pointed response when challenged over whether the omission risked making him look like he was losing control.
The defender, on loan from Chelsea, was a surprise absence. He had played every minute of Palace’s Europa League campaign this season and started their last two Premier League matches. His omission raised eyebrows before kick-off, particularly after Palace initially named him in their starting XI on social media before correcting the teamsheet to show Honest Ahanor in his place.
Asked after the game why Disasi had been left out, Sage told reporters: “It’s an internal decision. I don’t want to comment.”
The Palace manager was pressed on whether the situation was comparable to previous squad omissions involving other players, but he remained unwilling to elaborate.
“It’s nice to try to ask the same question, but I said I don’t want to comment. Sorry for that because, you know, I always reply, but I don’t want to comment on this thing,” he said.
When it was put to Sage that leaving an important defender out of such a significant game without explanation could give the impression he was “losing control”, he replied: “That’s your analysis.”