'He touches him' – Crystal Palace manager insists Uche was denied a late penalty v Sunderland

Crystal Palace were forced to settle for their third draw in four matches across all competitions after a goalless stalemate with Sunderland at Selhurst Park on Saturday evening.

Deadline day arrival Christantus Uche marked his Premier League debut for the Eagles, coming on in the 84th minute to replace Yéremy Pino.

The Nigeria international was handed his first appearance by manager Oliver Glasner despite only two days of training with his new teammates and a taxing return from South Africa, where he featured in the Super Eagles 2026 World Cup qualifier.

Uche almost made a dream start to life in England's top-flight when the ball broke kindly for him at the back post but Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs denied him with a sharp save.

The game's major talking point arrived late on, when Uche went down under a challenge in the box.

Referee Thomas Bramall waved away the appeals after consulting VAR — a decision that Glasner questioned in his post-match comments.

"The VAR must have told the referee that the Sunderland player didn’t touch him, but for me, when I see the pictures, it looks like he touches him," Oliver Glasner told the BBC.

Despite the frustration, Crystal Palace extended their unbeaten start to the season.

With one win and three draws, they remain one of only three Premier League sides yet to taste defeat this term, alongside Liverpool and Chelsea.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit: cpfc.co.uk

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