Nketiah’s stoppage-time stunner seals Palace win over Liverpool in VAR-talked finale

Match notes and controversy

English referee Mark Clattenburg, a former official in the Premier League, weighed in on one of the most debated refereeing decisions from the Crystal Palace versus Liverpool clash, a 2-1 Palace win. The debate centered on technology's role and timing tonight.

Palace hosted Liverpool at Selhurst Park on Saturday, in the sixth round of the English top flight.

Palace led through Ismaila Sarr, until the 87th minute, when Italian substitute Federico Chiesa equalised for the Reds, only for Eddie Nketiah to strike the stoppage-time winner for the Londoners in the 90+7th minute, with the crowd roaring nearby.

Some argued that Sarr's opener should have been chalked off after the ball had gone out for a throw, but referee Chris Kavanagh awarded Palace a corner that led to the breakthrough.

VAR cannot intervene in that kind of situation, its remit focusing on penalties, offsides and red cards. On the matter, Clattenburg told the press that FIFA is keen to improve the assisted-video system and its protocol. He added that, as things stand, a misjudged corner cannot be corrected by VAR, even if it leads to a goal, which can be frustrating. The governing bodies hope to allow VAR to adjust goal kicks and corners in the future, but for now officials decisions must stand.

The match also produced a moment of controversy when Liverpool’s equaliser by Chiesa was given despite a VAR review for a possible handball by Mohamed Salah.

Arne Slot, Liverpool’s manager, said his side deserved an extra half-minute of stoppage time after a substitution occurred in time added, something the referee did not account for.

Palace avoided defeat in their first six Premier League games, the first time this has happened, while Liverpool extended an EPL unbeaten run to 12 matches, a new club record.

Oliver Glasner’s side halted the Reds’ winning streak this season, snapping Liverpool’s 100% record in previous fixtures.

Opta revealed Nketiah’s goal was the latest in the Premier League for his side since 2006-07, and that Liverpool have now conceded their latest-ever stoppage-time strike in the competition, at 96:59.

Liverpool’s first defeat of the season came after five wins from their opening five fixtures against Bournemouth, Newcastle United, Arsenal, Burnley and Everton.

That result left Liverpool on 15 points at the top, while Palace climbed to 19 and sixth.

Liverpool are the defending champions from last season, after a fierce title battle with Arsenal.

Last season’s title run remains one of the club’s proudest moments, lifting it to 20 league crowns, tying Manchester United for the most.

The two clubs have long vied for supremacy in England, with many domestic trophies, though Liverpool lead on the European stage, with six Champions League titles to United’s three.

Liverpool’s European crown last came in 2020 against Tottenham, while United’s last European triumph was in 2008, beating Chelsea on penalties.

They reached the final again in 2023, but fell to Real Madrid, while United reached finals in 2009 and 2011 but lost to Barcelona and were edged by Chelsea.

Punchline: If VAR keeps chasing the perfect corner, maybe geometry should get a credit. Punchline 2: Football is the only sport where the clock and the ball play hide-and-seek, and the ball always finds the net first.