Liverpool were handed a late penalty as they pulled off a dramatic comeback to defeat Crystal Palace 2-1 at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
The Reds were a goal and a man down in South London before fighting back to produce a third straight league victory which saw them edge up to seventh on the table.
The Eagles went ahead three minutes into the second half when Joe Ledley rifled home with his left foot from just inside the area after a series of blocks from the Liverpool defence eventually fell into his path.
Less than 15 minutes later, the Reds lost James Milner to a second yellow card which had them at a numerical disadvantage but Jurgen Klopp's men responded through Roberto Firmino who swooped on a botched clearance from Palace keeper Alex McCarthy before driving forward and firing beyond the gloveman.
In a dramatic finish, Reds sub Christian Benteke went down under a very light challenge from Damien Delaney which prompted Andre Marriner to point to the spot deep into injury-time, much to Palace's dismay.
The Belgian striker stepped up and coolly slotted home to give Liverpool a victory that sees them within six points of the top four.
For Alan Pardew's Eagles, it was a 12th league match in a row without a win which has them sitting 15th, nine points clear of the bottom three.
MATCH OVERVIEW
Crystal Palace: 1 (Joe Ledley 48')
Liverpool: 2 (Roberto Firmino 72', Christian Benteke 90+6', red card: James Milner 62')
Selhurst Park, London - 24,709
TALKING POINTS
- Palace just cannot take a trick. Another defeat which has them dangling, but are they good enough to get the points required to push clear?
- Liverpool stringing together some nice results in the league. Is a top-four spot attainable or beyond them?
WHAT'S NEXT?
Palace head to Reading for their FA Cup quarter-final on the weekend as Liverpool prepare for Thursday's Europa League clash with Man Utd.
TWITTER INSIGHT
Important win! pic.twitter.com/764FnUdlUw
— Divock Origi #27 (@DivockOrigi) March 6, 2016
The lads enjoyed that... pic.twitter.com/GNldpMRO1D
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 6, 2016
Football is a game of high and lows, I'm sorry to all you palace fans but I didn't mean to slip! Great support as always!
— Alex McCarthy (@Alex_Macca23) March 6, 2016
QUOTES CORNER
Palace's Pardew on Benteke's apparent simulation:
"That touch doesn't warrant the dive he makes, and it's the dive that makes the linesman's mind up. It's a worrying issue in the game. That touch doesn't warrant that dive. If that touch warrants a collapse like that, then wow, we really need to say: 'Come on'."
Liverpool boss Klopp on the great comeback:
"We played with more focus (with 10 men). We started well, but we didn't have a shot at goal. It was not bad, but not good enough.
"Usually the plan was to play with more direction in the second half, but then we conceded the goal and the red card. Then we had nothing to lose. When you're 1-0 down, you have to be greedy."
STATS SPECIALS
*Thanks to Opta
2 – James Milner has been sent off in a Premier League game for only the second time in his career (also v WBA in Oct 2012). Mist.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 6, 2016
11 - Roberto Firmino (11) has scored or assisted more Premier League goals in 2016 than any other player (7 goals, 4 assists). Burst.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 6, 2016
12 - Crystal Palace have gone 12 Premier League matches without a win (D4 L8), the current longest winless run in the top-flight. Plummet.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 6, 2016
715 - Christian Benteke ended a run of 715 minutes in all competitions without a goal for Liverpool. Relief.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 6, 2016
