Crystal Palace 2–1 Liverpool: Nketiah’s Stoppage-Time Winner Ends Champions’ Unbeaten Run

Crystal Palace extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 18 matches with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Selhurst Park, equalling the longest streak in their history and handing the champions their first defeat of the season. The result leaves Palace as the only unbeaten side in the Premier League.

Ismaïla Sarr gave Palace the perfect start after nine minutes, heading in his fourth goal of the season after Ryan Gravenberch’s header dropped kindly into his path from a corner. It was his fifth goal in eight appearances against Liverpool.

Arne Slot was booked for protesting the decision to award the corner, and his side never looked settled. Liverpool looked increasingly uncomfortable, relying on Alisson to produce a string of world-class saves. Palace almost struck again before the break when Jean-Philippe Mateta’s effort hit the inside of the post, while the closest Liverpool came was frustration and misplaced passes. By half-time, Palace’s lead was fully deserved.

The pattern continued into the second half, with Palace still creating the clearer chances. Slot turned to his bench at the interval, bringing on Cody Gakpo for Conor Bradley, shifting Dominik Szoboszlai to right-back and Florian Wirtz into midfield.

More changes followed as Slot chased the game, but the breakthrough refused to come. Alexander Isak, on his first Premier League start, squandered Liverpool’s best chance when he dragged wide after being slipped through by Alexis Mac Allister.

Liverpool thought they had salvaged a point in the 87th minute when Federico Chiesa fired home after Chris Richards knocked the ball into his path. A VAR check for a possible Mohamed Salah handball brought added tension, but the equaliser was allowed to stand.

Palace, though, were not to be denied. In the 90+8th minute, a long throw caused chaos in the Liverpool box and Eddie Nketiah pounced, smashing home the winner to seal Palace’s first home victory of the season and spark wild celebrations at Selhurst Park.

Liverpool, previously perfect under Slot, were undone despite Alisson’s heroics and Chiesa’s late strike. Palace, meanwhile, continue to be the only unbeaten team in all competitions since last spring, equalling their longest run ever, and now stand alone as the Premier League’s last unbeaten side.