Nketiah’s Last-Gasp Stunner Shatters Liverpool’s Perfect Start as Palace Soar The Premier League’s last remaining fortress has fallen. In a dramatic, heart-stopping finale at a raucous Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace delivered a seismic shock to the title race, edging Liverpool 2-1 with a stoppage-time winner from Eddie Nketiah. The result not only handed the Reds their first defeat of the campaign but also anointed the Eagles as the division’s sole unbeaten team, a status that underscores their remarkable transformation under manager Oliver Glasner. A Record Run and a Statement Victory This wasn’t just another three points for Crystal Palace; it was a declaration. The victory extends their extraordinary club-record unbeaten streak to 18 matches across all competitions, a run of form that has firmly established them as top-four contenders. More impressively, this formidable sequence now includes three consecutive matches without a loss against the mighty Liverpool, a psychological hurdle they have emphatically cleared. The match began true to form for the in-form Eagles. They punished a lethargic and uncharacteristically sloppy Liverpool defense early on. From a poorly cleared corner, the ball fell invitingly in the box, and Ismaila Sarr, demonstrating a poacher’s instinct, was quickest to react, poking home from close range to send the home crowd into a frenzy. For much of the contest, Liverpool, usually so fluid and relentless, looked disjointed and struggled to impose their trademark high-octane game. Liverpool’s Flicker of Hope and Crushing Despair As the clock ticked into the final minutes, it seemed Liverpool had once again summoned their famed powers of resilience. In the 87th minute, a moment of quality finally broke through. Federico Chiesa, who had been kept quiet for large periods, found a pocket of space inside the area and swept a composed finish into the net, sending the traveling supporters into delirium and seemingly salvaging a hard-earned point. But this script had a different, more dramatic ending. With virtually the last kick of the game, Palace launched one final assault. In a crowded penalty area, the ball broke to Eddie Nketiah. With a striker’s cold-blooded composure, he took a touch to set himself and calmly slotted the ball past a stranded Alisson Becker. Selhurst Park erupted, the sound a mixture of pure joy and stunned disbelief. The goal was a dagger to Liverpool hearts and a moment of unbridled ecstasy for the Palace faithful. Nketiah’s Moment of Glory Speaking to club media after the final whistle, the match-winner could barely contain his elation. “It was a massive result for us. Beating a team like Liverpool shows how far we’ve come,” Nketiah stated. His words were more than just post-match platitudes; they were a testament to the belief and quality Glasner has instilled in this squad. “We knew they’d push until the end, but we held firm and believed we could get one more chance. To take it like that… it’s an incredible feeling.” The Shifting Premier League Landscape The ramifications of this result are significant. The victory propelled Crystal Palace to second in the Premier League table, now sitting just three points behind a Liverpool side that, until today, looked virtually unstoppable. The title race, which some had feared was becoming a procession, has been blown wide open. All eyes now turn to the Emirates Stadium, where Arsenal host Newcastle United on Sunday. A win for the Gunners would see them leapfrog Palace into second and close the gap on Liverpool to a mere two points, setting up a tantalizing multi-team battle for the summit. The pressure, which had been comfortably shouldered by Liverpool, has now been well and truly reapplied. Questions for Klopp and Praise for Glasner For Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, the performance will raise questions. The defensive frailties that were exploited for the first goal and the failure to clear their lines on the winner will be a major concern. The midfield, usually so dominant, was often overrun by Palace’s energetic and organized press. This defeat serves as a stark reminder that in the Premier League, no lead—and no unbeaten record—is ever safe. Conversely, Oliver Glasner’s stock continues to rise astronomically. His tactical setup was perfect: his team pressed intelligently, defended resolutely as a unit, and took their chances with ruthless efficiency. The decision to bring on Nketiah in the latter stages proved to be a masterstroke, a substitution that directly decided the outcome of the match. Palace are no longer just a plucky underdog; they are a cohesive, confident, and formidable team that believes it belongs at the top. As the dust settles on a classic Premier League encounter, one thing is clear: the narrative of the season has been irrevocably altered. Liverpool’s aura of invincibility has been pierced, while Crystal Palace’s dream start continues. In a league famed for its unpredictability, the Eagles have proven once again that on any given Saturday, anything is possible. Full credit to the original publisher: Toscad News – https://toscadnews.com/27/09/2025/nketiahs-last-minute-goal-ends-liverpools-perfect-premier-league-start/
2025-09-29