Crystal Palace’s rising stature was on full display at Selhurst Park, where the famed “Holmesdale Fanatics” watched as the frailties Liverpool have shown this season were brutally exposed. For 34 minutes, the Eagles tore the visitors to shreds, yet somehow only had Ismaila Sarr’s goal to show for their dominance. It was at this moment that the club’s famous supporters delivered their verdict: “We’re going to win the league” echoed around the atmospheric stadium — optimism taken to the extreme, perhaps, but a clear signal of just how good this Palace side is becoming.
Liverpool have been living on the edge all season. Even after racking up five successive Premier League victories, an influx of new expensive signings has failed to disguise defensive flaws first uncovered at Wembley in August, when Palace beat them on penalties to lift the Community Shield.
Oliver Glasner’s side refused to let the Reds off the hook, unlike some opponents earlier this season. However, despite a pulsating Palace performance, the visitors went in only 1-0 down at half-time when it could have been 6-0. Sarr’s ninth-minute opener was scant reward, with Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson the only player on the pitch to emerge with credit, making superb saves from Yeremy Pino, Daniel Munoz, and Jean-Philippe Mateta — who also struck the woodwork.
What looked like an outstanding Palace display yielding just a point was overturned late on. Federico Chiesa’s 87th-minute equaliser seemed to have salvaged a draw for Liverpool, but substitute Eddie Nketiah scored a deserved winner with virtually the last kick of the game in the 97th minute.
This was only Palace’s second league win over Liverpool in 17 meetings and their first at Selhurst Park since 2014. The stadium erupted in celebration — scenes Palace fans are becoming accustomed to under the superb leadership of Austrian manager Oliver Glasner.
Palace have now gone 18 games unbeaten in all competitions, including their historic FA Cup win against Manchester City in May, equalling a club record set back in 1969. This success propelled them to second place in the Premier League table, just three points behind reigning champions Liverpool after an impressive start to the season.
Glasner’s animated energy on the touchline clearly transfers to a team brimming with class in all areas — fully deserving of their current lofty position.
Keeper Dean Henderson was outstanding when called upon, reacting brilliantly to turn Ryan Gravenberch’s shot onto the post in the first half. Meanwhile, captain and key defender Marc Guehi demonstrated exactly why Liverpool regretted missing out on a proposed £35 million move for him on transfer deadline day.
Guehi’s composure was a stark contrast to the chaos in Liverpool’s backline, where Ibrahima Konate struggled and captain Virgil van Dijk was so unsettled he eventually received a booking for dissent. Adding insult to injury, Guehi even assisted in the build-up to Nketiah’s winner; his long throw-in caused defensive jitters similar to the corner that facilitated Palace’s opening goal.
Midfielders Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada impressed with their quality and industriousness. Wharton’s loping style may be understated, but his elegant competitiveness marks him as an England regular in the making. Sarr offers consistent quality in attack, while forward Mateta, although more inconsistent, remains a tireless menace.
Behind it all is the charismatic Glasner — a transformative figure at Palace — whom chairman Steve Parish will surely be desperate to keep at Selhurst Park for the long term.
With eight wins and 10 draws from their unbeaten run, Palace are enjoying their joint-longest unbeaten stretch as a club, matching the 18-game run from February to August 1969. Notably, three of those matches were also against Liverpool.
The Eagles remain the only unbeaten team in the Premier League, with three wins and three draws from their opening six games. When Palace last achieved such a feat in the 1990-91 season, they went on to finish third — their highest-ever top-flight position.
Reflecting on the victory, 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’s struggles seemed almost inevitable. While they’ve traded heavily on late goals this season to claim wins against Bournemouth, Newcastle United, Burnley, and Arsenal, this approach was unsustainable. Federico Chiesa’s 87th-minute equaliser nearly continued that trend — until Nketiah delivered Palace’s late heartbreak.
Despite seven successive victories in all competitions, Liverpool remain very much a work in progress given their many recent acquisitions. The frustrations were amplified by the “stupidity” of in-form striker Hugo Ekitike, who earned a one-match ban after a second yellow card for removing his shirt following his midweek Carabao Cup winner against Southampton. The French forward, with five goals in seven games, might have added firepower to Liverpool’s attack.
Alexander Isak, Liverpool’s record £125 million signing, was handed his first league start but appears far from full fitness. His withdrawal after missing a clear chance drew Palace fans’ predictable scorn with chants of “what a waste of money.” Similarly, Florian Wirtz — who cost £116 million — is still adjusting to his role, contributing little apart from one poor finish saved by Henderson.
Although Liverpool remain top of the table, the defensive issues that have troubled them all season finally caught up at Selhurst Park. Meanwhile, Palace and their supporters enjoyed no such problems and plenty of reasons to celebrate.
Can they, as the “Holmesdale Fanatics” suggested, win the Premier League? It seems highly unlikely. However, this thrilling, determined Palace side will undoubtedly offer hope, deliver excitement, and create more joyous moments throughout the campaign.
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