Crystal Palace vs. Liverpool: Score, Grades and Reaction from EPL Game

Crystal Palace 3-1 Liverpool

The curse of Selhurst Park returned to haunt Liverpool as they crashed to a 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday.

The Reds had seen their Premier League title hopes effectively vanquished after conceding three late goals in south-west London last season.

And on their return this term, Crystal Palace struck another three-goal haul to inflict the Anfield side's third successive league defeat.

It had started promisingly for Liverpool, with Rickie Lambert scoring his first league goal for the club after just 89 seconds of the game.

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

But goals from Dwight Gayle, Joe Ledley and club captain Mile Jedinak gave Palace a valuable three points.

Liverpool were without striker Mario Balotelli due to a groin injury, while Jordan Henderson was ruled out through illness. Lambert started in attack for the Reds.

Palace were able to welcome back Jedinak for the first time since his red card in the defeat by Sunderland on Nov. 3.

And Lambert took less than 90 seconds to make his mark on the game and claim his first Premier Leaague goal for Liverpool.

A clipped ball from distance by Adam Lallana split the Palace defence, and the former Southampton striker raced on to the ball to place it under Julian Speroni.

"

Lambert! 1-0 Liverpool after just 2 minutes gone. Superb assist from Lallana. https://t.co/xU4xeRvw7Z

— Futbol Pictures (@FutbolPictures) November 23, 2014"

Palace had looked out of sorts from the opening whistle, and a wayward Martin Kelly effort against his former club underlined their malaise.

However, Jedinak took up the challenge and provided the momentum for a 17th-minute equaliser.

The Australia international picked up the ball just inside his own area and powered forward before finding Yannick Bolasie, whose thunderous right-footed shot from the edge of the box beat Simon Mignolet but cannoned off the post.

However, fortunately for the Eagles, Gayle got ahead of Martin Skrtel to slide home the leveller.

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1-1! Gayle with yet another goal against Liverpool. https://t.co/suz7D25rIi

— Futbol Pictures (@FutbolPictures) November 23, 2014"

Lambert went close again for Liverpool in the 27th minute, but Steven Gerrard's floated free-kick caught him off balance on the edge of the Palace six-yard box.

But it was the home side bossing the possession, which threatened the visitors with Bolasie looking particularly threatening.

Palace were forced into a change in the 36th minute, though, after Damien Delaney left the field with an injury to be replaced by Brede Hangeland.

Gerrard attempted to roll back the years moments later after being played in by Joe Allen on the edge of the Palace area, but the former England captain's drive flew just over.

Three minutes before the interval, Palace almost made it to 2-1 after a terrific counter-attack led by Bolasie, who broke clear before playing a one-two with Gayle. But a fine block by Javier Manquillo denied the Palace man.

Jason Puncheon had had a quiet first period, but he provided an excellent through ball for Bolasie at the end of the first period. However, the Congo winger's strike went over.

"

Wouldn't mind if we were keeping ball well, pressing & struggling to score but what are we doing? What is the concept, the big picture?

— Michael Sweeting (@M_Sweeting) November 23, 2014"

Skrtel became the first player to be cautioned in the game early in the second half for a foul on Marouane Chamakh.

Raheem Sterling finally found his feet in the game with a powerful 55th-minute run into the area, but Kelly was able to block for a corner. The subsequent set-piece fell to Skrtel, who shot wide from a tight angle.

Palace were looking for a penalty in the 61st minute as Manquillo fouled Chamakh, but the offence was committed on the edge of the Liverpool box. The subsequent set-piece came to nothing, though.

Puncheon put the Liverpool defence under pressure in the 65th minute with his left-footed cross, but Manquillo did just enough to see off the threat of Bolasie at the far post.

Manquillo missed a gilt-edged opportunity when his side-footed attempt failed troubled the corner flag more than Speroni after Sterling had smuggled the ball to his team-mate in the 71st minute.

Liverpool switched Lallana for Fabio Borini before throwing Emre Can on in place of Allen three minutes later.

Then Palace manager Neil Warnock took off Puncheon for James McArthur to solidify his midfield.

However, it was a different change in tactics by Warnock which saw Palace take the lead. The Eagles boss had switched Bolasie to the right flank and the winger showed some great skill to leave Glen Johnson floundering.

The winger managed to keep his cross low and Ledley arrived in the penalty area at the right time to send the ball past Mignolet in the 78th minute.

Three minutes later, Palace looked to have sealed the points. Skrtel was penalised for bringing down Gayle 20 yards out and Jedinak stepped up to deliver a brilliant right-footed free-kick beyond Speroni.

It was another 90 minutes at Selhurst Park for Rodgers and Liverpool to forget, but the alarm bells should also be ringing for the club after a third successive Premier League defeat.

Selected Player Ratings

Rickie Lambert: A-

One Liverpool player to emerge from the first half with credit following his early opener for the Reds. Showed energy and desire for his team throughout the game.

Yannick Bolassie: A+

A genuine threat to Liverpool throughout the first period, and his fierce drive set up the equaliser for Gayle before crossing for Ledley's second. An excellent display.

Martin Skrtel: B-

Caught ball-watching as Gayle beat him to rebound for Palace leveller, but his partnership with Dejan Lovren showed little understanding in the opening 45 minutes.

What's ahead

Liverpool resume their Champions League qualification campaign on Wednesday when they travel to Bulgaria to face Ludogorets Razgrad.

Crystal Palace are next in action on Saturday when they are at Swansea City in the Premier League.

Post-Match Reaction