Yeremy Pino and Christantus Uche both made their home debuts for Crystal Palace in the stalemate against Sunderland.
The Spain international was handed a start by Oliver Glasner after an excellent cameo in the 3-0 win at Villa Park, whereas the Nigeria international played the final 11 minutes.
Uche even came close to scoring – and could have also won Crystal Palace a penalty after Wilson Isidor appeared to catch him after his attempt on goal.
Despite failing to secure the win, it was a promising start from Pino and the Nigerian, with both impressing Glasner.
Oliver Glasner pleased with Christantus Uche and Yeremy Pino
As quoted by CPFC after the 0-0 draw against Sunderland, the man born in Salzburg said: “I’m very pleased with Pino’s performance today. The cherry on top would have been that big chance in the first-half. Then he was a little bit unlucky in the second-half.
“But, we could see where he will help us with his positioning between the lines, his understanding of the game. He will have to adapt to the physicality and the pace of the Premier League football, but he’s not the first one and he won’t be the last one who has to adapt.
“He was good, he was dangerous, he had chances and it gives me a good feeling that he will score goals for us.”
Discussing the other Selhurst Park debutant, Glasner added: “It was the same with Uche at the end, I thought he could help us in having a little bit more physicality in our attack. He was great, he had a big chance as well. I think we could have got a penalty in this situation.”
Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella even claimed that Crystal Palace had taken two of the best players from La Liga after Pino – who fans feel is better on the left flank – and Uche moved from Villarreal and Getafe respectively.
On the basis of their displays against Sunderland, the Chelsea No.3 might be right, as there were plenty of encouraging signs from the new arrivals.
Oliver Glasner pinpoints “exceptional” moment from Tyrick Mitchell
Pino and Uche would potentially have endured defeat on their home debuts were it not for Tyrick Mitchell.
Tyrick Mitchell defending during a 0-0 draw between Crystal Palace and Sunderland
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
The England international heroically blocked a shot from Chemsdine Talbi after the Sunderland No.7 found himself free at the back post, almost certainly denying the Morocco international from scoring.
Glasner noticed the importance of that moment, stating: “I think we were very consistent defensively today, again. We gave them one chance in the first half. We saw an exceptional block from Tyrick Mitchell, everything else in the game I think we controlled really well.”
Mitchell also delivered the cross from which Uche almost scored from, so it was an effective performance from the Crystal Palace No.3 – who now has Borna Sosa challenging him for a start and seemingly pushing his teammate to the maximum.