Liverpool EPL title blow as Crystal Palace fight back from 3-0 down to draw

Liverpool EPL title blow as Crystal Palace fight back from 3-0 down to draw

Liverpool lost a three-goal lead in the last 12
minutes as Crystal Palace earned a 3-3 draw
at Selhurst Park that could decide the title in
Manchester City's favour.
Brendan Rodgers' side were cruising to an
easy win that would have sent them three
points clear of City, albeit having played a
game more, six days from the end of the
season. But a deflected Damien Delaney shot
made it 3-1 and sent Liverpool into a
dramatic tailspin that allowed Dwight Gayle to
net twice in the dying minutes.
Luis Suarez left the pitch in tears, Brendan
Rodgers all but conceded the title. Liverpool
lead by a point with City facing Aston Villa on
Wednesday, but the players' distraught
demeanour at full-time suggested they know a
once-in-a-generation chance is slipping from
their grasp as they chase their first league title
for 24 years.
The result bore echoes of Liverpool's 2005
Champions League triumph when they came
from three goals down to beat AC Milan on
penalties - only this time Liverpool were on
the receiving end of an amazing comeback,
which was soon nicknamed 'Crystanbul' on
social media.
It all looked to be going to plan as the visitors
took the lead less than 20 minutes in when Joe
Allen headed in a Steven Gerrard corner - his
first goal for Liverpool and the first time Tony
Pulis's Palace have conceded from a set piece.
The visitors’ good fortune improved following
the break as they doubled their lead – Daniel
Sturridge’s shot deflecting off Delaney and
past the helpless Julian Speroni, and they
added a third when Suarez netted his 31st
Premier League goal of the season.
But with just over 10 minutes remaining,
Liverpool’s season fell apart as Palace netted
three in quick succession. The unfortunate
Delaney, who had earlier contributed to
Liverpool’s second, enjoyed a slice of luck as
his speculative 25-yard drive ricocheted off
Glen Johnson before flying into the top left-
hand corner.
The goal appeared to rock the visitors and
spur Palace on, as Gayle first converted
Yannick Bolasie’s clever centre before taking
advantage of some slack Liverpool defending
to score a dramatic late equaliser and all-but
end Liverpool’s hopes of claiming a first
league title in 24 years.
They lead City by a point, but have one game
remaining to City's two. Their distraught
demeanour at full-time suggested they know a
once-in-a-generation chance is slipping from
their grasp.