By Peter Smith, SkySports Journalist.
@CPFC.
Eddie Nketiah scored a stunning 97th-minute winner as Crystal Palace beat Liverpool again to go second in the Premier League to the delight of a roaring home crowd at Selhurst Park.
Federico Chiesa thought he’d grabbed a point for the visitors to maintain their unbeaten run with a close-range finish with three minutes of normal time remaining after Ismaila Sarr’s first-half opener.
But a long throw launched into the Liverpool box by Jefferson Lerma was eventually flicked on by captain Marc Guehi for Nketiah converted at the back post to send his side’s supporters wild. There were fears it may get scrubbed off – but after a nail-biting, paper-thin offside check, the goal was given and there was no time left to play.
Palace’s penalty shoot-out win over Liverpool in the Community Shield had thrilled their fans but this victory, which moves Oliver Glasner’s side three points behind their opponents in the Premier League table, is another big statement about where the Eagles are soaring to under the Austrian.
Powerful and piercing on the counter, committed and compact in defence, Palace excelled in all aspects, while Liverpool laboured and big-money signings Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak – on his first Premier League start for his new side – struggled to make an impact.
Palace could have been out of sight at half-time. They led thanks to a controversial corner, which should have been given as a goal-kick, but deserved their advantage. Jean-Philippe Mateta curled against the inside of a post and Alisson had been forced to make a string of saves as Palace cut through.
Ryan Gravenberch, who had miscued his header from the corner to allow fit-again Sarr to score, saw his own effort tipped onto the frame of the goal by Dean Henderson but Liverpool were second best.
Guehi – who played a part in the eventual winner – was masterful at the back, marshalling Mohamed Salah just weeks after his Deadline Day move to Liverpool collapsed. Ibrahima Konate was nowhere near as convincing in Liverpool’s defence.
The champions battled back into it after the break, with half-time sub Cody Gakpo adding impetus. Wirtz passed up a golden opportunity to score when he tamely flicked at Henderson from close range – a moment which summed up his afternoon – but Chiesa was clinical with his big moment.
There were questions about a potential handball from Salah as Gravenberch’s cross came in and how it impacted Richards’ attempted clearance but Liverpool may feel that evened out the controversy to Palace’s opener.
However, just as it looked like Liverpool had pulled off another late salvage job it was Palace who had the last word once again. They’re now unbeaten in 18 games – matching a club record going back to 1969.
This is a result which will galvanise Liverpool’s title rivals. What it means for Palace’s ambitions this season is intriguingly unclear. They’re the only unbeaten Premier League side and they’re the ones to watch.
Premier League Results
Brighton 3-1 Chelsea
Man City 5-1 Burnley
Brentford 3-1 Man united
Leeds United 2-2 Bournemouth
Suncerland 1-0 Nottingham Forest
Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Wolves.