How the Eagles Turned a Dominant First Half into a Last‑Gasp Victory

From the first whistle, Crystal Palace looked like the kind of team that thrives on pressure. Ismaila Sarr's ninth‑minute strike was as much a product of quick‑transition football as a bit of luck – a corner routine that saw Daichi Kamada swing in a dangerous ball, Ryan Gravenberch’s errant header looping straight back into his own six‑yard box, and Sarr pouncing like a cat on an unsuspecting mouse.

What followed was a masterclass in disciplined pressing. Oliver Glasner’s side kept Liverpool on the back foot, forcing them into hurried passes despite a possession rate that hovered above 70%. The Palace defense, organized by Marc Guéhi and a vigilant James Tomkins, cut down space and forced Alisson into a series of high‑pressure saves. Even when Jean‑Philippe Mateta whacked the ball at the post, the moment was a reminder of just how many goals could have slipped through.

Late Drama, Tactical Lessons and What It Means for the Title Race

From the tunnel, Liverpool appeared to have found their rhythm. Federico Chiesa’s 87th‑minute equaliser, a deft finish after a slick run on the right, seemed to signal a comeback. Yet the replacement Eddie Nketiah, who had barely featured all season, turned the game on its head. In the 97th minute, a lofted ball met his head with surgical precision, sending Selhurst Park into a frenzy and giving Palace a win that will be talked about for weeks.

The defeat exposed a worrying softness in Liverpool’s back line. Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté, usually rock‑solid, seemed out of sync, while the midfield partnership of Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister failed to shield them adequately. With Hugo Ekitike serving a suspension and Giovanni Leoni out with an ACL injury, the Reds were missing critical depth, especially in the attacking third.

For Palace, the result does more than add three points. It cements their status as the league’s sole unbeaten side, sitting on 12 points from six games. The victory also showcases Glasner’s ability to organise a team that can dominate possession, execute a high‑press, and still find a winner in the dying moments.

Looking ahead, Liverpool will need to reassess their defensive recruitment strategy. The summer window left them thin at centre‑back, and the lack of a natural striker to replace Ekitike could handicap their attacking options. The next fixtures – a home clash with Manchester United and an away trip to Tottenham – will test whether they can bounce back or if this loss is the first sign of a longer‑term dip.

Palace, meanwhile, face a tough run of games against the likes of Newcastle and Brentford. Maintaining their unbeaten run will require the same intensity that saw them claim a historic win at Selhurst Park. If they can keep their pressing tight and stay clinical in front of goal, the team could become a genuine dark horse in the Premier League scramble.