Eddie Nketiah celebrates his 97th-minute winner for Crystal Palace against Liverpool
The growing confidence at Crystal Palace extended to the “Holmesdale Fanatics” in Selhurst Park as they witnessed Liverpool’s vulnerabilities, evident throughout the season, laid bare.
After 34 minutes of dominant play from the Eagles, who somehow only had Ismaila Sarr’s goal to show for their efforts, the vocal supporters delivered their verdict.
“We’re going to win the league” reverberated around the historic stadium – an optimistic sentiment, perhaps, but a clear indication of the quality this Palace team possesses.
Liverpool have flirted with danger all season. Even a run of five consecutive Premier League victories couldn’t mask defensive frailties first exposed at Wembley in August, when Palace defeated them on penalties to lift the Community Shield. An influx of new, expensive signings has done little to resolve the underlying issues.
Oliver Glasner’s side refused to let Liverpool off the hook, a mistake some opponents have made this term. Palace’s failure to extend their lead beyond 1-0 at halftime, when it could have been 6-0, was their biggest error.
Sarr’s ninth-minute goal barely reflected Palace’s vibrant performance. Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, the sole player to emerge with any credit, made excellent saves from Yeremy Pino, Daniel Munoz, and Jean-Philippe Mateta, who also hit the woodwork.
It appeared as though an outstanding performance would yield only a point after Federico Chiesa’s 87th-minute equaliser. However, Liverpool’s habit of late drama backfired when substitute Eddie Nketiah scored a well-deserved winner in the 97th minute.
This was only their second league victory over Liverpool in 17 encounters, and their first at home since 2014.
Selhurst Park erupted in celebration, scenes becoming increasingly familiar under Glasner’s impressive leadership.
Palace end Liverpool’s winning start with 97th-minute Nketiah strike
Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson joins the celebrations after Eddie Nketiah’s winner
Palace are now unbeaten in 18 games across all competitions, equalling a club record from 1969, which included a historic FA Cup win against Manchester City in May.
This success has propelled them to second place, three points behind reigning champions Liverpool, after an impressive start to the season.
Glasner’s dynamic presence on the touchline resonates with a team possessing quality in all areas, fully deserving of their current high position in the table.
Goalkeeper Dean Henderson was exceptional when called upon, turning Ryan Gravenberch’s shot onto the post in the first half. Captain and key defender Marc Guehi demonstrated why Liverpool were so disappointed when a proposed £35m move to Anfield fell through on transfer deadline day.
Guehi’s composure starkly contrasted with the chaos in Liverpool’s backline, where Ibrahima Konate struggled and captain Virgil van Dijk became so agitated that he was eventually booked for dissent.
Adding insult to injury, Guehi even contributed an assist in the build-up to Nketiah’s winner when a long throw-in caused defensive uncertainty – mirroring a corner that led to Palace’s opening goal.
Adam Wharton is undoubtedly a future England international. His distinctive socks-down style belies an elegant, competitive midfield operator of the highest calibre. Daichi Kamada was equally industrious and effective.
Sarr offers quality in attack, while fellow forward Mateta, though inconsistent, remains a tireless and constant threat.
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Glasner’s Palace will ‘always go for the win’
Behind it all is the charismatic Glasner, a transformative figure at Palace whom chairman Steve Parish will be desperate to retain at Selhurst Park.
Palace, with eight wins and 10 draws, are enjoying their joint-longest unbeaten run as a club, also 18 from February to August 1969. Three matches in that unbeaten run have been against Liverpool too.
The Eagles are now the only unbeaten Premier League side, having won three and drawn three of their opening six games.
The last time they achieved this, in 1990-91, Palace finished third – their highest ever top-flight position.
A delighted Glasner told BBC’s Match of the Day: “We played an amazing first half and had a deserved lead. We deserved the win.
“To overcome the pressure of Liverpool – they deserved an equaliser – but I’m delighted at the reaction of our team.
“We talk about our personality. We always go for the win. Everybody who is close to Crystal Palace got their reward here.
“The players showed so much confidence. We made so many runs, the quality of the passes, runs into the box, it was excellent.
“We will analyse the game and take in all this positivity. You have to enjoy these moments otherwise you have to ask why you are doing it.”
Liverpool, in some respects, had a day like this coming.
They have relied heavily on late goals this season to secure victories against Bournemouth, Newcastle United, Burnley, and Arsenal. It was an unsustainable trend, although they nearly repeated it through Chiesa’s goal, before Nketiah inflicted heartbreak of their own.
Despite seven consecutive victories in all competitions, this Liverpool side remains a work in progress, particularly with so many new additions.
The “stupidity” – as Slot described it – of in-form striker Hugo Ekitike’s one-match ban, earned for removing his shirt after scoring the midweek winner against Southampton in the Carabao Cup, was keenly felt here.
The Frenchman, with five goals in seven games, might have made a difference to Liverpool’s attack.
Alexander Isak, the club’s record £125m signing, made his first league start but appears far from full fitness, drawing scorn from Palace fans with chants of “what a waste of money” when he was substituted after missing a clear chance he had created for himself.
Florian Wirtz, a slightly cheaper £116m acquisition, is also still trying to find his place in a side and system that dominated the league last season. The German was largely anonymous, except for a six-yard chance that he directed straight into Henderson’s hands.
Liverpool remain in a strong position, but the issues that have plagued them finally caught up at Selhurst Park.
No such problems for an ecstatic Palace and their supporters.
Can they, as the “Holmesdale Fanatics” suggest, win the Premier League?
It seems highly unlikely, but this thrilling, determined side will offer hope, excitement, and many more joyous moments throughout the campaign.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner congratulates Will Hughes after the win against Liverpool.
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