Crystal Palace rescue late draw against Hoffenheim after Wharton red card

Crystal Palace were seconds away from another damaging European defeat when Daichi Kamada scored in stoppage time to make it 1-1 against 1899 Hoffenheim. Alexander Prass had put Hoffenheim ahead in the seventh minute, Adam Wharton was sent off after a second yellow in the 77th minute, and Palace had to claw their way through the closing stages at Selhurst Park.

Palace survive a red card scare

The dismissal came after Wharton picked up a second booking, and Palace spent the final stretch trying to stay alive. Dean Henderson made four saves, including a strong stop from Andrej Kramaric, before Kamada's late finish changed the mood completely.

That mattered for Pierre Sage, because Palace had already lost three Premier League games in a row before this match and were in the relegation zone before kick-off. The draw does not wipe away the problems, but it does stop the evening from turning into a full collapse.

Hoffenheim's lead slipped away

Hoffenheim got the start they wanted through Prass, with Tim Lemperle setting up the opener. They also had enough moments to build on it, and Oliver Baumann made four saves at the other end, but the game still finished level.

Crystal Palace only managed one goal, so they never looked like they were going to control the match in the normal way. The late equaliser was the only route out of trouble, and it was enough to leave Hoffenheim with a point instead of a win.

Palace's next European night will bring a different sort of pressure, but this one ended with Kamada on the scoresheet and Wharton's sending-off no longer the decisive moment.