Dwight Gayle scored two second-half
goals to earn Crystal Palace a dramatic 3-3 draw at Selhurst
Park and leave Liverpool’s title dreams in tatters.
Brendan Rodgers’ side went into the
match knowing that anything other than a win would severely dent their title
hopes, and it all looked to be going to plan as the visitors took the lead less
than 20 minutes into the match in the most unlikely fashion.
Facing a side who hadn’t conceded a
set-piece in the league under Tony Pulis all season, Joe Allen shocked the home
crowd by heading home Steven Gerrard’s corner to notch his first goal
in a Liverpool shirt.
The visitors’ good fortune improved
following the break as they doubled their lead – Daniel Sturridge’s shot deflecting off Damien Delaney and past the helpless Julian Speroni.
Sensing blood and looking to reduce Manchester City’s superior goal difference,
Liverpool continued to throw men forward and added a third just two minutes
later. Exchanging a neat one-two with Raheem Sterling, Suarez continued into the box,
receiving the return ball to fire past Speroni and net his 31st goal of the
season – the joint-highest tally ever in a 38-game Premier League season.
But with just over 10 minutes
remaining, Liverpool’s season fell apart as Palace netted three in quick
succession. The unfortunate Delaney, who had earlier contributed to Liverpool’s
second, enjoyed a slice of luck as his speculative 25-yard drive ricocheted off
Glen Johnson before flying into the top left-hand corner.
The goal appeared to rock the
visitors and spur Palace on, as Gayle first converted Yannick Bolasie’s clever centre before taking
advantage of some slack Liverpool defending to score a dramatic late equaliser
and all-but end Liverpool’s hopes of claiming a first league title in 24 years.
They now lead City by a point, but
have one game remaining to City's two.
KEY MOMENTS
8’ - MUST SCORE!! Sakho should have Liverpool a goal to the good, as he finds
space – somehow – on the edge of the six-yard box from the corner. The defender
is totally unmarked, but inexplicably heads wide
18’ - GOAL!!! Joe Allen scores his first goal for Liverpool. Gerrard's
corner from the left is sent over the crowd and towards the far post, where the
unmarked Allen has the simplest of tasks to nod past Speroni. Terrible
defending, but Liverpool won't care.
33’ – MIGNOLET SAVE: Great effort from Puncheon, who smashes a left-footed
effort through a crowd of bodies from 25 yards. Mignolet is unsighted, but is
down in a flash to turn the ball around his post with a firm hand. Brilliant
effort, better save.
35’ - WHAT A SAVE FROM MIGNOLET!! Jedinak, unmarked, sets his sights from a little under 30
yards. His right-footed drive is vicious – dipping and swerving on its way into
the top corner. But Mignolet flies through the air, getting a fingertip to the
ball and diverting it over the crossbar.
42’ – SUAREZ ALMOST NETS! Suarez looks to catch out Speroni at his near post after
being sent through on goal. The Uruguayan’s first touch is a poor one, but he
manages to keep the ball in play on the left touchline. There are a number of
Liverpool players in the penalty area, but Suarez smashes a shot towards the
near post that Speroni has to be alert to save.
53’ – LIVERPOOL’S SECOND! Liverpool add their second and it’ll give them a little bit
of breathing room to go on and get more – looking to draw level with City. It’s
Sturridge that scores, but it’s very fortunate. His shot from 20 yards takes a
wicked deflection off Delaney and into the back of the net.
55’ – LIVERPOOL NET THREE! The Reds smell blood. Suarez receives the ball 30 yards
from goal and bursts forward, exchanging a one-two with Sterling, before
carrying on his run and slotting past the onrushing Speroni from eight yards.
79’ – PALACE PULL ONE BACK! Delaney finds some space 25 yards from goal, and, under no
pressure at all, opts to fire at goal. His shot takes a massive deflection off
Johnson and past Mignolet.
81’ – LIVERPOOL CONCEDE AGAIN! Palace score a second in as many minutes. Following a break
down in Liverpool’s attack, Bolasie breaks and is most certainly the right man
to do so. He knocks the ball ahead of him, storming past every Liverpool player
to reach the penalty area. He holds the ball up well before finding Gayle, who
side-foots past Mignolet from the penalty spot.
89’ – IT’S ALL LEVEL!! Liverpool have blown a three goal lead, and could well have
blown their title hopes. Gayle scores his second of the match after splitting
Skrtel and Sakho to rifle past Mignolet from close range.
KEY STATS
Tony Pulis remains unbeaten at home
to Liverpool in the Premier League (W3-D3), while both teams avoid back-to-back
Premier League losses for only the second time under their current managers.
Liverpool, however, remain unbeaten for the ninth PL away match in a row, for
the first time since April – October 2008.
Dwight Gayle becomes just the third
player to score more than once against Liverpool in a single PL match this
season (Romelu Lukaku and Jordan Mutch also scored twice against them).
This is the first time ever Palace
have recovered from a three-goal deficit in the PL, previous best was two goals
vs Norwich in April 2005 (that match also ended 3-3).
TALKING POINT
Have Liverpool blown their chance to
win the league? The Reds move top of the table by
just one point, but Manchester City have a game in hand and face Aston Villa and West Ham in their final two games
of the season. A first league title in 24 years is still possible, but hugely
unlikely.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Dwight Gayle (Crystal Palace): It has to be, doesn’t it? Scoring two goals in eight
second-half minutes to rescue a dramatic 3-3 draw and effectively end
Liverpool’s title hopes is worthy of the gong. Yannick Bolasie was also
tremendous, but this award is Gayle’s.
PLAYER RATINGS
Crystal Palace: Speroni 7, Mariappa
6, Dann 6, Delaney 7, Ward 6, Dikgacoi 6, Jedinak 6, Ledley 6, Bolasie 8, Puncheon
6, Chamakh 6. Subs: Ince 5, Gayle 9, Murray 6
Liverpool: Mignolet 7, Johnson 6,
Flanagan 6, Skrtel 7, Sakho 6, Gerrard 6, Allen 7, Lucas 7, Sterling 7,
Sturridge 6, Suarez 7. Subs: Coutinho 5, Moses 5
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