Crystal Palace Stuns Liverpool With Last-Gasp Winner

‎Liverpool’s perfect start to the Premier League season came to a dramatic halt at Selhurst Park, where Eddie Nketiah’s 97th-minute strike sealed a famous 2-1 victory for Crystal Palace.

‎The Eagles took three points off the defending champions and also extended their club-record unbeaten run to 18 matches across all competitions.

‎A Quick Start from Palace

‎Despite Liverpool dominating early possession, it was Palace who struck first blood. The hosts capitalized on their first clear chance in the ninth minute when Ryan Gravenberch, in attempting to clear a corner, could only divert the ball into the path of Ismaïla Sarr.

‎The winger, who has made a habit of tormenting Liverpool, needed no second invitation, smashing home from close range for his fifth goal in just eight matches against the Reds.

‎Jean-Philippe Mateta and Yeremy Pino both came close to doubling Palace’s lead, forcing Alisson into sharp saves that kept the visitors within touching distance.

‎Liverpool’s Frustrations in Front of Goal

‎Arne Slot handed Alexander Isak his first Premier League start of the season, but the Swedish striker looked short of sharpness. His best opportunity came when he broke clear, rounded Dean Henderson, but ran out of angle and fired harmlessly wide.

‎Liverpool’s best chance of the first half fell to Ibrahima Konaté from a corner, yet the centre-back’s header zipped just wide. As the half drew to a close, Palace nearly doubled their lead through Mateta, whose curling effort smacked against the inside of the post.

‎Gakpo’s Spark and Chiesa’s Equalizer

‎Liverpool emerged from the break determined to turn the tide, with Cody Gakpo introduced at half-time. The Dutchman almost made an immediate impact, bending a curling effort narrowly wide of Henderson’s post.

‎Florian Wirtz soon tested the Palace goalkeeper as well, but Henderson was equal to the strike.

‎Isak continued to find pockets of space but lacked the killer instinct in front of the goal, missing another clear opportunity after working room in the box. Liverpool’s pressure eventually paid off in the 82nd minute, when Federico Chiesa scrambled home from close range.

‎Palace players protested for a Mohamed Salah handball in the buildup, but VAR sided with the champions, setting up a frantic finale.

‎Nketiah the Hero in Stoppage Time

‎Just when it looked like both sides would settle for a share of the spoils, Selhurst Park erupted. Deep into stoppage time, Nketiah latched onto a loose ball in the box and guided it past Alisson in the 97th minute to clinch all three points.

‎The goal ended Liverpool’s perfect start to the season and also secured Palace’s second consecutive victory over the Reds this campaign. With the win, Oliver Glasner’s men moved into second place in the Premier League table, just three points off Liverpool, who tasted defeat for the first time in 90 minutes this season.

‎What This Means? 

‎For Liverpool, the defeat is a reality check. Despite dominating stretches of the match, their wastefulness in front of goal and occasional lapses at the back proved costly.

‎For Palace, this victory is another landmark in what is fast becoming a historic season.