Daichi Kamada scored a stoppage-time equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw for 10-man Crystal Palace against Hoffenheim in the Europa League on Thursday. The result offers manager Pierre Sage a moment of relief after a difficult run of form.
Alexander Prass had given the German side an early lead, capitalising on a defensive lapse to score in the seventh minute. Palace struggled to create clear chances in response and their task became harder when Adam Wharton was sent off in the 77th minute for a second bookable offence. Just as a damaging defeat seemed certain, Kamada struck in the 91st minute, finishing from close range after a Tyrick Mitchell knockdown.
Pierre Sage told reporters the late goal could be a turning point. "The character the players showed at the end, to keep fighting with ten men, that is something we can build on," he said.
The draw leaves Palace with work to do in Group H of the Europa League, but it halts a run of three consecutive Premier League defeats. Those losses have left the Eagles in 18th place in the standings, two points from safety. They face a daunting trip to Anfield to play Liverpool in their next league fixture on Sunday. Key forward Michael Olise remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, while the squad will also be without the suspended Wharton for that match.
Goalkeeper Dean Henderson made a key save from Andrej Kramaric in the first half but will be disappointed with the soft nature of Hoffenheim's opener. The team's next European assignment is a home fixture against Slavia Prague in two weeks' time.
