29/05 - 21:00
Liverpool fought back from 1-0 down against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park to go to the top of the Premier League.
The home side took the lead from the penalty spot in the second half but did have a spot kick overturned in the first.
Virgil van Dijk had brought down Odsonne Édouard with referee Andy Madley pointing to the spot. However, the decision was reversed after VAR intervened with Will Hughes fouling Wataru Endo just before Van Dijk's challenge.
The second penalty was the correct decision although again VAR was needed to intervene (after a lengthy consultation). Jarell Quansah had gone late in his attempt to intercept a ball meant for Jean-Philippe Mateta.
It was Mateta who took the penalty, sending his effort straight down the middle as Alisson Becker dived to his right.
Palace were looking good for their lead as they managed to disrupt Liverpool's attacking play. That changed in the 75th minute though when Jordan Ayew received his second yellow card.
Eagles fans will feel like the red was harsh given how both yellows looked soft but the referee was correct on both decisions even if they were the exact kind of challenges that often go unpunished.
The numerical superiority told immediately. From the resulting free-kick, Liverpool got the ball down the right flank – where they had looked most likely to create something – with Palace unable to clear a ball into the box.
Things got more difficult for Roy Hodgson when, in the 80th minute, Johnstone had to be replaced by Remi Matthews – the shot-stopper making his first-ever appearance in the English top flight.
But there was nothing Matthews could do about the 91st-minute winner as substitute Harvey Elliott moved forward with the ball before firing a curling effort into the net from just outside the box.
There was still time for some late drama with Luis Díaz having another goal chalked off while Alisson was needed to deny a potential dramatic equaliser from Joachim Anderson in the 100th minute.
As it stands, Liverpool now go top of the Premier League ahead of Arsenal taking on Aston Villa at Villa Park later this evening.
xG: Crystal Palace (1.82) 1-2 (1.19) Liverpool
150 - Mohamed Salah has scored his 150th goal in the Premier League, while he's reached this tally in the fifth-fewest appearances of any player:
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 9, 2023
212 - Alan Shearer
217 - Sergio Agüero
218 - Harry Kane
220 - Thierry Henry
247 - Mohamed Salah
Icon. pic.twitter.com/vLwNj30VWs
1-2 | ||
Jean Mateta 57' (pen.) | Mohamed Salah 76' Harvey Elliott 90' |
