MX23RW : Thursday, March 28 21:53:22| >> :120:8455:8455:
[monks data]
Attendance: 25,628
Crystal Palace logo
Premier League
Oct 29, 2016 at 5.30pm UK
 
Liverpool logo

2-4

McArthur (18', 33')
FT(HT: 2-3)
Can (16'), Lovren (21'), Matip (44'), Firmino (71')

Liverpool edge past Crystal Palace in six-goal thriller at Selhurst Park

Liverpool edge past Palace in six-goal thriller
James McArthur scores twice for Crystal Palace but it is not enough to halt Liverpool, as the Reds leave Selhurst Park with all three points thanks to a 4-2 win.

Liverpool have moved back level on points with Arsenal and Manchester City at the Premier League summit, courtesy of an enthralling 4-2 win over Crystal Palace.

Five of the six goals came in the first half at Selhurst Park, with James McArthur twice popping up in the opening 45 minutes, but it was the Reds who prevailed to make it 11 games without defeat now in all competitions.

It is the eighth time this calendar year that Jurgen Klopp's charges have scored four or more goals in a single match, though their defensive frailties so nearly cost them all three points in South London.

Incredibly, it took until 16 minutes into the thrilling match for the first shot of any note to arrive following a tepid display from the visitors who were happy to slowly probe away.

That shot did lead to the breakthrough moment, though, as Alberto Moreno - in for James Milner in the only change from last weekend - got on the end of Philippe Coutinho's ball over the top and picked out Emre Can to tuck away his first goal of the season.

Palace responded almost instantly, making the most of some poor Dejan Lovren defending as McArthur raced in to nod the ball over Loris Karius and into the unguarded net.

It was a poor goal for the visitors to concede, extending their run without a clean sheet on their travels to 11 top-flight games and setting the tone for what was to follow at either end.

From the third attempt of the contest, Lovren made amends for his error instantaneously as he got the better of the returning Scott Dann to power home a header from close range.

A spell of Liverpool dominance followed, with Roberto Firmino's reverse shot heading for the bottom corner if not for a timely Dann block, while Moreno was enjoying himself down the left flank and cannoned a shot back off the post soon after.

The next goal went the way of the hosts, however, as McArthur bagged his second headed goal after Wilfried Zaha stood the ball up nicely from his first - and near enough only - foray down the flank all half.

Just five minutes and 45 seconds stood between the opening three goals of the match, but there was a slightly longer wait between the next two as Joel Matip was the latest to profit from some terrible Palace defending to head home unmarked seven yards out - his first in English football and the fifth goal of an incredible half of football.

Coutinho also hit the post after seeing his header kept out by Steve Mandanda and Sadio Mane somehow missed when picked out from close range, meaning that the Reds' lead remained slender - despite their dominance - when the half-time whistle sounded.

The second period started in an equally enthralling manner - Christian Benteke being denied a goal against his former club on the spin thanks to a Karius save, before Mane was thwarted by Mandanda.

Benteke was to be denied for a second time by Karius moments later when failing to truly get his foot around the ball, but a big moment soon followed when Zaha went down under a challenge from Lovren inside the box - a call referee Andre Marriner got spot on when waving for play to continue.

Palace were well on top for large parts of the second half, but they were on course for a fifth game without a win after Firmino lifted Jordan Henderson's through-ball over Mandanda 71 minutes in to seal the points.

That was the first time all match that the Reds had some breathing space, but Coutinho was to be denied a couple of times in the remainder to ensure that it was just the four goals, lifting the Reds back into third place in the Premier League title race.

ID:284284: cacheID:284284:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6459:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Sadio Mane in action for Liverpool on August 6, 2016
Read Next:
Mane credits teammates for impressive start
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!