Twitter Reacts as Controversial Benteke Penalty Helps Liverpool Beat Palace

Tom Webb

Mar 6, 2016

Liverpool recorded three successive Premier League wins for the first time in nearly a year with a controversial 2-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday.

"
Benteke wins it. First 3 successive wins for Liverpool in a full year! Absolutely never, never, ever, ever a penalty.
— Karl Matchett (@karlmatchett) March 6, 2016"

Both sides made changes to their starting XIs:

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"
Simon Mignolet starts for Liverpool on his birthday. #LFC fans sending him their best wishes…#CRYLIV pic.twitter.com/8p0d85JWYf
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) March 6, 2016"

"
Liverpool's strongest bench since about 2009?! pic.twitter.com/3FT3ojyT1G
— Karl Matchett (@karlmatchett) March 6, 2016"

"
Zaha has been Palace's best player all year and even when doubled up recently , now Bolasie balancing it out on the other flank improves him
— Ed Malyon (@eaamalyon) March 6, 2016"

"
Palace keeper McCarthy hasn’t played since Sept 20. Does not have a clean sheet in his 6 games this season.
— Karl Matchett (@karlmatchett) March 6, 2016"

The home team started brightly, with Yannick Bolasie and Emmanuel Adebayor both coming close:

"
What a goal that would have been by Bolasie
— Ed Malyon (@eaamalyon) March 6, 2016"

"
Frantic opening at Selhurst with Bolasie's pace already a huge weapon for Palace #CRYLIV
— Jack Rathborn (@JackRathborn) March 6, 2016"

"
Great save from Mignolet. Expect to see another 2 or 3 of those from him and then a clanger.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) March 6, 2016"

"
Palace go close as Adebayor's header crashes back off the bar! Already a couple of yellow cards in this game too. #CRYLIV
— FantasyFooty Updates (@Fpl_Updates) March 6, 2016"

"
Spicy start to #CRYLIV so far... pic.twitter.com/8vK3fB7VVa
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) March 6, 2016"

"
Jordan Henderson taking out Yannick Bolasie AND his own teammate Jon Flanagan.

No nonsense defending. pic.twitter.com/cVysweu3hN
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 6, 2016"

James Milner had Liverpool's first chance with a free-kick:

"
Liverpool freekick on the edge of the box... its Milner... Can he work the keeper? #CRYLIV pic.twitter.com/r16w1RqmAa
— Copa90 (@Copa90) March 6, 2016"

"
#LFC & set-pieces 💩
— Spion Klopp (@Jay_78_) March 6, 2016"

While Divock Origi was putting in a good shift on his own up front:

"
Have to credit Origi’s running so far. Both channels, stretching whenever possible and goes at defenders. Not easy without support/service
— Karl Matchett (@karlmatchett) March 6, 2016"

"
If only Liverpool could get some more support for Origi, he's worked his socks off today without anything much to show from it #CRYLIV
— Jack Rathborn (@JackRathborn) March 6, 2016"

The sides went into half-time level, but it didn't take Palace long to break the deadlock after the break:

"
1-0 Crystal Palace! Joe Ledley fires the home side ahead.#CRYLIV pic.twitter.com/mkQIXKTPQm
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) March 6, 2016"

"
Great start to the half for Palace and Ledley thumps one into the bottom right corner, poor defending by Liverpool #CRYLIV
— Jack Rathborn (@JackRathborn) March 6, 2016"

"
Ledley got all of his magnificent beard behind that one.
— Coral (@Coral) March 6, 2016"

"
Deadly Ledley puts Palace ahead.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) March 6, 2016"

Things went from bad to worse for Liverpool when Milner saw red for a second yellow card:

"
Second yellow card for James Milner and he’s off. Liverpool a man and 1-0 down…#CRYLIV pic.twitter.com/rq2CsHKpzm
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) March 6, 2016"

"
James Milner obviously spent the morning reading the Coquelin Book of Idiotic Football. £100k a week for the behaviour of a cretin.
— Tony Hodson (@tonyhodson1) March 6, 2016"

"
Coquelin, Mirallas and now Milner. Some very stupid tackling this weekend.
— Matthew Stanger (@MatthewStanger) March 6, 2016"

"
It's disappointing that I got sent off. In hindsight, I probably shouldn't have made that challenge.
— Boring James Milner (@BoringMilner) March 6, 2016"

But out of nowhere they drew level when Palace goalkeeper Alex McCarthy slipped, and Firmino capitalised:

"
That was some half-arsed attempt by the universe to make up for Gerrard's slip against Chelsea.
— Matthew Stanger (@MatthewStanger) March 6, 2016"

"
It’s not like Liverpool to benefit from a slip... pic.twitter.com/HPjtRmeaOc
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) March 6, 2016"

"
Firmino now #LFC's top scorer this season with 8 in all comps.
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceEcho) March 6, 2016"

The away side then came close to a second when Alberto Moreno hit the post from outside the box:

"
So close Alberto Moreno!
— Karl Matchett (@karlmatchett) March 6, 2016"

"
Moreno rattles one off the inside of the post from distance! Cleared away, Liverpool fans cant beleive it #CRYLIV pic.twitter.com/NE0V6BSa82
— Copa90 (@Copa90) March 6, 2016"

The game appeared destined to end in a draw when substitute Christian Benteke went down under Damien Delaney's challenge, and the referee awarded a penalty. The Belgian picked himself up to score with practically the last kick of the game:

"
Unbelievable! Delaney is adjudged to have fouled Benteke and the Belgian scores from the spot. #LFC win 2-1 pic.twitter.com/9uRYEcUYRx
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) March 6, 2016"

"
One of the Liverpool coaching staff absolutely stacked it celebrating that. Lovely scenes.
— Nick Miller (@NickMiller79) March 6, 2016"

But not everyone was convinced by the decision:

"
Ludicrous
— Ed Malyon (@eaamalyon) March 6, 2016"

"
The worst act of simulation in the history of football ... criminal ...
— Mike Parry (@mikeparry8) March 6, 2016"

"
Jason Cundy says Benteke's dive is a 'skill' and an 'art'. Never mind the decision to award a penalty - it's a disgrace to say that!
— Claire Bloomfield (@DifferentClaz) March 6, 2016"

"
Contact doesn't make it a foul. Benteke is already falling over when Delaney's knee touches him. But stupid of Delaney to make the challenge
— Stav (@Kouppas) March 6, 2016"