Daichi Kamada scored a stoppage-time equaliser to earn 10-man Crystal Palace a 1-1 draw with Hoffenheim in the Europa League, giving under-pressure manager Pierre Sage a much-needed lifeline. Palace had been reduced to 10 men after Adam Wharton’s dismissal in the 77th minute.
Palace arrived at Selhurst Park desperate for a response after three consecutive Premier League defeats had left them in the relegation zone, and questions over Sage’s future as manager were growing. Their defensive vulnerabilities were exposed early, though, 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 made an excellent save to deny Andrej Kramaric from close range, and Palace’s evening took a further turn for the worse when Wharton received a second yellow card in the 77th minute for catching Wouter Burger with his arm in an aerial challenge.
Just when another damaging defeat looked inevitable, Kamada rescued a point in stoppage time. Yeremy Pino delivered a cross into the area, and Tyrick Mitchell nodded the ball down. Kamada then finished through the goalkeeper’s legs, sparking relief around Selhurst Park.
The draw leaves Palace with plenty to address, particularly defensively. The manner of the late equaliser could still prove significant for a manager whose position has come under increasing scrutiny. Sage will breathe easier, but 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 hits back over Disasi omission
Sage refused to explain why Axel Disasi was left out of Palace’s matchday squad for the Europa League draw with Hoffenheim. He insisted the decision was an internal matter, then delivered a pointed response when challenged over whether it made him look like he was losing control.
The defender, on loan from Chelsea, was a surprise omission. He had played every minute of Palace’s Europa League campaign this season and started their last two Premier League matches. His absence 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.”