Crystal Palace 1 Liverpool 2: Roberto Firmino rescues Reds after Wilfried Zaha’s late leveller for Eagles

ROBERTO FIRMINO struck a dramatic winner after Wilfried Zaha’s goal looked set to land Palace a deserved point.

Zaha grabbed his first goal of the season in the 82nd minute against a Liverpool side who were nowhere near their best.

Roberto Firmino slots home after Palace failed to clear a cornerCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Sadio Mane fires home for Liverpool to take the leadCredit: AFP or licensors

But just three minutes later, Palace failed to clear a corner and Firmino bundled the ball over the line.

This was a classic case of Liverpool proving they know how to win ugly but it was incredibly harsh on Palace.

The performance was anything but fantasy football from the Merseyside giants, who were able to rest striker Mo Salah on the bench. They were about to bring the Egyptian on before Firmino’s late goal.

A dull game exploded just before the break when Palace were celebrating James Tomkins heading Luka Milivojevic’s free-kick into the net.

But VAR correctly ruled that Jordan Ayew had pushed Dejan Lovren just as the cross came in.

James Tomkins thought he had opened the scoring but VAR disallowed the goalCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Liverpool are hoping to pile the pressure on Man City, who play Chelsea in the late kick-offCredit: Reuters

Sadio Mane wasted a good chance after being released by Jordan Henderson but seconds later, the Senegal international grabbed the opening goal.

Palace failed to clear Andy Robertson’s cross and Mane’s shot was pushed onto the post by keeper Vicente Guaita and the ball rolled over the line for 1-0.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain made only his fourth League start of the season and started to tire, so it was no surprise he was replaced by Divock Origi.

With eight minutes to go, Zaha grabbed Palace’s deserved leveller. Sub Christian Benteke, facing his former team, combined with Andros Townsend before Zaha was fed the ball and struck the ball past stranded Alisson.

And just when Palace were looking forward to a point, they were guilty of some shocking defending and the ball fell perfectly for Firmino.

In injury time, Zaha wasted a glorious chance as he blazed over the bar on the volley.

Wilfried Zaha thought he had earned Palace a point as he finished past AlissonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk