Crystal Palace were held 1-1 by Hoffenheim at Selhurst Park on Thursday night, a Europa League draw that leaves the Eagles still searching for a first league-phase win of the campaign.
Palace had hoped to turn home advantage into three points, according to UEFA and TNT Sports, but the German visitors proved stubborn opposition and left south London with a share of the spoils.
It was a frustrating evening for the home side, who created enough to win the game but could not find a second goal.
A point, but two dropped?
Palace will feel this was a game they should have won. At home, against a Hoffenheim side that had travelled to London, the Eagles had the backing of a loud Selhurst Park crowd and the better of the chances.
But European football punishes wastefulness, and Hoffenheim’s equaliser ensured the points were shared. Palace’s failure to turn dominance into victory is becoming a theme of their league-phase campaign, and it is one they must address quickly.
The draw does at least keep Palace unbeaten at home in the competition, and a point is better than none. But with the league phase at its halfway point, draws at home will not be enough to secure a top-eight finish.
The wider picture
Thursday was a mixed night for the English clubs in Europe. Bournemouth won 3-1 at Sparta Prague and Brighton won 1-0 at Getafe, but Sunderland lost 2-0 at home to Dinamo Zagreb and Palace could only draw.
For Palace, the focus now shifts to their remaining fixtures. The top 24 reach the knockout rounds, so their campaign is far from over, but they need wins — starting with their next league-phase game — to climb the table and give themselves a realistic shot at the play-offs or better.
What comes next
Palace’s European adventure continues after the international break, and the message from the manager will be clear: turn draws into wins. The squad has the quality; Thursday showed they have the chances too. Now they need the killer instinct to finish games off.
Related reading:
Sunderland Beaten 2-0 at Home by Dinamo Zagreb in Europa
Bournemouth Make It Four From Four in Europa League
Sources: UEFA.com Europa League fixtures and results (Nov 5, 2026); TNT Sports UEFA recap (Nov 5, 2026).
