Match Overview
On September 27, 2025, Crystal Palace delivered one of the Premier League’s most unforgettable evenings. Facing defending champions Liverpool, the Eagles entered the game as the league’s second‑last unbeaten side, having gone undefeated in all competitions since April. Liverpool, on the other hand, rode a perfect five‑game winning streak, carrying the weight of expectation at Selhurst Park.
The opening 30 minutes saw Liverpool dominate possession, with Mohamed Salah probing the Palace defense and a dangerous 30‑yard lob from Jordan Henderson testing Alisson’s reflexes. Palace’s back line, marshalled by Joachim Andersen, held firm, forcing the visitors into a series of long‑range efforts that barely rattled the net.
Midway through the first half, a corner flipped to a quick flick from Conor Gallagher that landed at the feet of Lewis Collins, who slotted home the match’s opening goal, giving Palace a 1‑0 lead and sparking a roar from the 25,118 fans.
Liverpool responded aggressively. By the 55th minute, a well‑timed run by Darwin Nunez forced a defensive scramble, allowing the Spaniard to equalise with a low finish past Vicente Guaita. The game settled into a tense rhythm, with both sides creating chances that missed the mark.
- Key moment: Ryan Gravenberch’s left‑footed pass in the 96th minute put Nketiah one‑on‑one with Alisson.
- VAR check: A lengthy off‑side review lasted over a minute, heightening the drama.
- Decisive goal: Nketiah slipped the ball through Alisson’s legs, sealing a 2‑1 win.
The stoppage‑time drama reached its climax when Nketiah found space inside the box after Gravenberch’s clever flick. After a tense VAR review, the goal was awarded, igniting wild celebrations across the stadium.
Impact and Reactions
Palace’s victory not only matched their historic 18‑match unbeaten run from 1969 but also made them the sole unbeaten team in the Premier League this season, extending their league unbeaten streak to six games. Oliver Glasner praised his side’s resilience, noting that “the boys showed character when the odds were against us.”
For Liverpool, the loss served as a sobering reminder that the title race will be fiercely contested. Manager Jürgen Klopp admitted the team “lost a little piece of confidence” but emphasized the need to bounce back.
Fans answered with unforgettable scenes: Palace supporters sang the club anthem well into the night, while Liverpool’s traveling crowd stood in stunned silence, processing the abrupt end to their perfect start.
Statistically, Palace outshot Liverpool 14‑12, possessed the ball 53% of the time, and completed 487 passes compared to Liverpool’s 462, highlighting a balanced yet decisive performance.