Crystal Palace Shock Liverpool with Injury-Time Winner

Crystal Palace stunned Liverpool with a dramatic injury-time goal from Eddie Nketiah to secure a 2-1 victory at Selhurst Park. The decisive strike in the 92nd minute capped off a thrilling encounter and gave Palace their first major highlight of the Premier League season. Fans erupted as Nketiah’s finish sealed one of the most memorable moments of the weekend.

The match began with Liverpool asserting early control. In the 18th minute, Mohamed Salah scored after a well-placed cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold, putting the visitors ahead. Palace responded with measured attacks, gradually gaining confidence and creating chances through Wilfried Zaha and Eberechi Eze, who combined well down the wings. Despite missing a few opportunities, Palace stayed resilient and patient, showing tactical discipline under pressure.

As the game progressed, both sides had key moments that could have changed the scoreline. Liverpool’s goalkeeper Alisson made two crucial saves in the first half to keep Palace from equalising. Palace, meanwhile, threatened on counterattacks, with Nketiah and Zaha testing the Liverpool defence multiple times. By the second half, Palace’s growing intensity became evident as they pressed higher and forced errors from the visitors.

The turning point came in injury time. Nketiah, who had been lively throughout the match, collected a precise pass from Eze at the edge of the box and fired a low shot past Alisson to level the match. Moments later, a scramble in the Liverpool penalty area allowed Palace to secure the winner, completing a dramatic comeback and sending Selhurst Park into celebration. Nketiah’s goal marked his first of the season and instantly made him the hero of the match.

This victory is a significant morale boost for Crystal Palace. It demonstrates the squad’s resilience, determination, and ability to compete against top-tier teams. Key contributors included Zaha, who provided several dangerous runs and assisted Nketiah, and Eze, whose vision and passing unlocked Liverpool’s defensive line. Palace’s disciplined defence, led by Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen, also played a crucial role in keeping Liverpool at bay.

For Liverpool, the loss is a reminder of the Premier League’s unpredictability. While Salah, Alexander-Arnold, and Darwin Núñez showed glimpses of their attacking talent, the team struggled to maintain consistency and allowed Palace to fight back late. Despite the defeat, Liverpool remains a strong contender in the league, with valuable lessons to take forward.

The result highlights the excitement and drama of English football, where matches can turn in minutes and individual brilliance can change the course of a game. Crystal Palace’s win will encourage the squad and coaching staff as they aim to build momentum in the coming fixtures. Fans will remember the match for Nketiah’s late heroics and the team’s unwavering spirit on the pitch.