Nketiah’s 97th‑minute volley crowns Palace’s statement win and preserves the last unbeaten record

Selhurst Park shook to its foundations as Eddie Nketiah arrived at the back post in the seventh minute of added time to sink Liverpool 2-1 and keep Crystal Palace’s remarkable unbeaten charge intact. It was a victory forged in Oliver Glasner’s blueprint: fast, fearless, and ferocious on set‑pieces, with the champions harried and harassed from first whistle to last.

Ismaila Sarr’s ninth‑minute strike, his third in as many games against Liverpool, rewarded a first half that drew a standing ovation. When Federico Chiesa snatched an 87th‑minute leveller, Selhurst bristled—but Palace found another surge. A long throw, a deft Marc Guehi flick, and Nketiah’s ruthless finish delivered the club’s first home league win over Liverpool since November 2014 and stretched the unbeaten run to 18, equalling a record that dates back to 1969. Palace are up to second and, astonishingly, the Premier League’s only unbeaten team.

Glasner’s blueprint overwhelms the champions

Continuity and clarity powered Palace. With Yeremy Pino stepping in for the departed Eberechi Eze, the Eagles pressed smartly and struck decisively. A contentious corner—replays suggested goal‑kick—was whipped in by Daichi Kamada and, under Guehi’s pressure, Ryan Gravenberch’s header skidded into Sarr’s path for a crisp finish on nine minutes.

From there, Palace ran riot in transition and on restarts. Maxence Lacroix’s raking pass launched a flowing move that ended with Jean‑Philippe Mateta curling against the inside of a post, before Alisson was forced into a string of saves from Pino, Daniel Muñoz and Mateta again. The only frustration was the margin: the champions were spared by their goalkeeper and the woodwork.

Guehi’s leadership and Henderson’s sure hands

Marc Guehi was immense. Against the club that came so close to signing him earlier this month, Palace’s captain marshalled Mohamed Salah, won duels, and provided the stoppage‑time assist with a decisive flick. Around him, Adam Wharton stitched play and Palace’s back line bristled with conviction.

Behind them, Dean Henderson was a calming constant. He turned Ryan Gravenberch’s piledriver onto the post in the first half and then foiled Florian Wirtz from point‑blank range after the break. The message was clear: even when Liverpool pinned Palace back, the door would not swing open easily.

Bending without breaking, then landing the punch

Arne Slot shuffled at half‑time—Cody Gakpo on, Dominik Szoboszlai to right‑back, Wirtz central—and the champions inevitably built pressure. Wirtz should have levelled from six yards but shot too close to Henderson; Alexander Isak, on his full league debut for Liverpool, burst into the area only to drag wide to a chorus of "what a waste of money".

Liverpool finally found a way when Chris Richards failed to clear Gravenberch’s cross and Chiesa hammered in to keep their scoring run going. There were murmurs about a potential Salah handball in the scramble, a debate that balanced the earlier corner controversy—but Palace refused to look backwards. The next set piece would be theirs.

The long‑throw finale and a razor‑thin verdict

Deep into stoppage time, a long throw arced into the box, Guehi extended his neck muscles for the flick, and Nketiah arrived with composure to chest and finish at the far post. In the breathless seconds that followed, VAR measured lines and angles; Gravenberch’s trailing foot kept Nketiah just onside. Selhurst erupted for a second time.

Glasner’s side had earned it. Their set‑piece work, their collective sprinting and structure, and their willingness to play on the edge were rewarded at the last. It felt like an extension of a journey already gilded by an FA Cup triumph and a Community Shield shoot‑out win over these same opponents.

Eighteen and rising: belief with perspective, Europe on the horizon

“I think the first half was the best since I arrived,” Glasner said. “There was immense pressure in the second half, but we kept our heads up and turned the momentum again. It makes me really proud of the group.” He praised Guehi’s focus and insisted nobody would get carried away: it is still September, and there is more to refine.

Palace now step into Europe, visiting Dynamo Kyiv in the Conference League before travelling to Everton. Selhurst’s chorus of "we’re going to win the league" was tongue‑in‑cheek, perhaps, but this felt like something more than a singular win: a vindication of process, of system, and of a squad that believes it can go toe‑to‑toe with anyone.