Crystal Palace were left frustrated at Selhurst Park after being held to a goalless draw by newly promoted Sunderland, despite dominating large spells of the contest.
The Eagles carved out the clearer opportunities but lacked a cutting edge in the final third, while Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs produced a string of fine saves to deny them a breakthrough.
Palace’s best chance fell to debutant Yeremy Pino in the first half. The £26m summer arrival from Villarreal was slipped through by Daichi Kamada, only to drag his finish wide when it seemed easier to score.
The Spaniard showed flashes of quality on his full debut, including a dazzling second-half turn to glide past Granit Xhaka, though his final ball let him down.
Manager Regis Le Bris also reshuffled his lineup, handing starts to Simon Adingra and Wilson Isidor.
Still, despite their dominance, Palace were thwarted time and again by Roefs, who earned man of the match after six key stops, including late denials of Kamada and substitute Chrisantus Uche.
Jean-Philippe Mateta came closest to snatching a winner when Daniel Muñoz’s low cross fell kindly to him, but Roefs somehow blocked the effort with his shoulder in a moment of fortune and bravery.
At the other end, Dean Henderson had a quiet evening, barely tested by Sunderland’s attack.
In the end, Palace’s late pressure yielded nothing, and the draw keeps them unbeaten but one point adrift of Sunderland, who have seven points from their opening fixtures compared to Palace’s six.
