Twitter Reacts as Controversial Benteke Penalty Helps Liverpool Beat Palace

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:

"

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"

"

Well done Christian! 👏👏👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/uiiOIc0wwe

— Danny Kelly (@dannykellywords) March 6, 2016"

Final score: Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool

[Twitter]