Crystal Palace O Liverpool 2
Milner pen 46 Mane 94
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Liverpool had to scrap and battle through the first half at Palace last night, then scored with a penalty after a challenge on Salah.
In real time, I thought Sakho touched Salah’s ankle.
On the replay, I thought he touched him twice. But Salah was looking to go down.
Small players have a more intimate relationship with the ball and they also have a more intimate relationship with the boots of defenders.
Salah plays high and right and Liverpool are always trying to release his pace.
The first goal was in first half stoppage time, the second in second half stoppage time. That shows what a close battle this was.
It became less tight when Palace defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka clipped Mo Salah on the edge of the box. Ref Michael Oliver had to send him off and did so.
Right at the death, Palace won a corner and took it and Salah started a breakaway and released Sadio Mane, who made a preposterous 60-yard power sprint from deep in his own half as Salah raced to keep up with him.
By the time Mane went past the last defender, and then went past keeper Wayne Hennessy, Salah had repositioned himself for a tap-in at the far post. But Mane, having evaded the keeper, slotted neatly for 0-2 and three points.
That was a goal that no other Premier League footballer could have scored.
Aguero could not have scored it, neither could Jesus or Lukaku or even Hazard.
No other player could have run that far at that speed and finished it off like that.
Sadio Mane showed amazing strength and balance and determination to wrap up three vital points.
Once, playing for Southampton, Mane sliced through the Chelsea defence on his own and scored a thrilling solo goal. But last night ‘s goal was better because he had much further to run and more decisions to make.
Palace boss Roy Hodgson said, “If that’s a penalty the game has changed beyond all recognition.”
Keita was average last night compared to his electrifying debut.
On Monday Night Football, Jamie Carragher noted that Liverpool coped well with Palace’s pressure.
Gary Neville concurred: “Extremely professional.”
Myles says:
Astute and ambitious recruitment has lifted Liverpool to another level of consistency.