Stoppage-Time Drama at Selhurst Park Ends Reds’ Unbeaten Run
Crystal Palace handed Liverpool a taste of their own medicine on Saturday, September 27, as substitute Eddie Nketiah scored a dramatic 97th-minute winner to secure a 2-1 victory at a delirious Selhurst Park. The stunning goal ended the reigning champions’ perfect start to the Premier League season and cemented Palace’s status as the only remaining unbeaten team in the top flight, extending their remarkable run to 18 games without defeat.
The result marked the second time this season that Oliver Glasner’s side has bested the Reds, following their penalty shootout victory in the Community Shield in August. For Liverpool, it was a harsh but perhaps necessary wake-up call after a series of narrow, late victories had masked some underlying defensive vulnerabilities.
First-Half Dominance from the Eagles
From the outset, Crystal Palace played with an intensity that unsettled the league leaders. Their early pressure paid off in just the ninth minute when Ismaila Sarr, a familiar tormentor of the Liverpool defence, found himself in the right place to smash the ball home following a corner. It was the first time Liverpool had conceded the opening goal this season.
The hosts could have been out of sight by halftime. Liverpool, looking uncharacteristically disjointed, were repeatedly exposed at the back. Only the brilliance of goalkeeper Alisson Becker kept them in the contest, with the Brazilian making a series of superb saves to deny Jean-Philippe Mateta and Daniel Muñoz. The woodwork also came to Liverpool’s rescue when a curling effort from Mateta struck the inside of the post and bounced clear, leaving the champions fortunate to be only a single goal down at the break.
Liverpool’s Fightback and a Cruel Twist
Manager Arne Slot’s halftime adjustments saw Liverpool emerge as a much-improved side in the second half. They began to dominate possession and apply sustained pressure, though the well-drilled Palace defence held firm. Alexander Isak, making his first Premier League start for the club in place of the suspended Hugo Ekitike, struggled to make a significant impact but had a notable chance that he fired wide.
As the clock ticked down, it seemed Liverpool’s luck might hold once again. In the 87th minute, a cross into the box was not dealt with by the Palace defence, and the ball fell to substitute Federico Chiesa, who made no mistake, firing home the equalizer. With the momentum shifted, many expected the Reds to push for one of their signature late winners.
However, the final twist belonged to the home side. Deep into stoppage time, a long throw-in was flicked on, and the ball found its way to Eddie Nketiah at the back post. The substitute volleyed his finish superbly past Alisson, sparking scenes of wild celebration and securing a famous victory for the Eagles.
Implications for Both Sides
The defeat serves as a significant reality check for Liverpool. While their perfect record was impressive, the team has often relied on late heroics to secure points. As noted by digitaltrendstoday.com, the champions have shown grit but have struggled to control matches, a weakness that was fully exploited by a disciplined Crystal Palace side. For Palace, the victory is a statement of intent. Under Oliver Glasner, they have become a formidable, hard-to-beat unit, and this result will only bolster their confidence as they continue to climb the Premier League table.
