Football Review | Crystal Palace 2 - 1 Liverpool

Nketiah strikes at the death to topple Liverpool

Crystal Palace stun leaders with dramatic stoppage-time winner

Author | Ajay

Stadium | Selhurst Park

Pre-match atmosphere

Eddie Nketiah struck with virtually the last kick of the game at Selhurst Park to give Crystal Palace a richly deserved victory and halt Liverpool’s perfect start to the Premier League season.

Federico Chiesa’s 87th-minute equaliser had appeared to rescue a point for the champions after a performance that scarcely warranted reward. But Nketiah pounced at the far post in the seventh minute of added time, lifting Palace to second in the table.

Ismaila Sarr had given Palace an early lead and, despite creating a stream of chances, it seemed they would be punished for failing to convert them. Instead, Nketiah’s late strike ensured their unbeaten run across all competitions stretched to 18 matches, equalling a club record set in 1969.

Closer analysis of what happened 

Palace were outstanding throughout, unsettling Liverpool’s fragile defence and forcing Alisson into a string of superb saves. The Brazilian denied Yeremy Pino, Daniel Muñoz and Jean-Philippe Mateta, who also struck the woodwork with a curling effort at the end of a flowing move.

Liverpool improved after the interval, with Dean Henderson turning Ryan Gravenberch’s drive on to the post and denying Florian Wirtz from close range. Record £125m signing Alexander Isak, making his full league debut, shot wide when clean through as pressure built.

Chiesa’s close-range finish revived hopes of another late Liverpool escape, only for Nketiah to provide the twist usually reserved for Arne Slot’s side. A VAR check confirmed Gravenberch’s foot had kept him narrowly onside, sealing a famous Palace win.

Ten years since Leicester City won the league. Could another miracle happen this season?

Crystal Palace fans may have had their tongues firmly in cheeks when they chanted "we're going to win the league", but Oliver Glasner's side fully deserved this victory.

They may have lost star forward Eberechi Eze to Arsenal, but they still possess quality and ran Liverpool ragged at regular intervals.

Only the formidable one-man barrier of Alisson and the woodwork spared the champions first-half humiliation and somehow kept the deficit at just one goal.

Glasner's emerging side have now gone 18 games unbeaten, playing with the confidence that winning the FA Cup has given them, as well as the knowledge their outstanding leader is once again proving his managerial pedigree.

Palace possesses strength through the spine of their side - from Henderson in goal, captain Marc Guehi in defence, Adam Wharton in midfield, and a thrilling attack in which striker Mateta may be erratic, but remains a constant danger.

How Liverpool must wish Marc Guehi's deadline day move had not fallen through and that they had his steadying influence at the back for them, where they have looked vulnerable all season, and Ibrahima Konate endured a nightmare.