29/09/2025

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MONDAY | SEPT 29, 2025

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Red’s end perfect start Slot says Liverpool ‘deserved’ defeat to Palace L IVERPOOL’S perfect Premier League start came undone in a 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace on Saturday. – with the Community Shield it’s not the first time we’ve lost to them. “They deserved to be two or three up in the first half.” League strugglers. Potter’s exit, which came only nine months after his appointment, was widely expected after the Hammers slumped to second bottom of the table.

Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch (right) in action with Crystal Palace’s Yeremy Pino during their English Premier League match at Selhurst Park. – REUTERSPIC

Including the Community Shield, Liverpool have conceded two goals in five of their nine games this season. Slot was particularly angered by his side’s defending for the winner when Jeremie Frimpong switched off to leave Nketiah unmarked at the back post. “We can only blame ourselves for defending the way we did,” said Slot. “One of our players ran out because he wanted to play a counter-attack, which was of no use because time was up, so it was only about defending. “One player was too offensively minded in that moment, which led to them scoring the winner and us losing the game.” Elsewhere, newly promoted Sunderland are up to fourth after Omar Alderete scored the only goal at the City Ground to leave Ange Postecoglou still without a win as Nottingham Forest manager. There was also late drama at Elland Road where Bournemouth snatched a point against Leeds thanks to Eli Kroupi’s strike in a 2-2 draw. Meanwhile, West Ham hired

Stretching back to before their FA Cup win last season, the Eagles are now the only undefeated team in the Premier League after extending their club record run to 18 games in all competitions without losing, includ ing three games against Liverpool. “These are the moments why we love football. The fans will have a great Saturday evening now,” said Palace boss Oliver Glasner. “We deserved it. Great performance, great game, great win.” Glasner has transformed Palace’s fortunes over the past 18 months, but believes his side’s first half display was a new high. “I think the first half was the best half since we arrived,” he said. “Leading the champions by one goal you always think they can strike back and we were under immense pressure in the second half. “But even when they equalised and the momentum can change we kept our heads. It was such a team effort.” The English champions were finally made to pay for another disjointed performance after being bailed out by a series of late goals in winning their opening five league games. Ismaila Sarr fired the FA Cup winners into an early lead after Liverpool failed to deal with a corner. Liverpool looked set to be rescued by another late goal when Federico Chiesa swept home a loose ball in the box to equalise on 87 minutes. This time the Reds were on the other end of a late winner. Nketiah produced a composed finish in a packed penalty area with almost the last kick of the game. Victory takes Palace up to second and within three points of Liverpool at the top of the table. Liverpool manager Arne Slot said Palace were deserving winners at Selhurst Park. Slot’s men had won all seven of their Premier League, Champions League and League Cup games since losing on penalties to Palace in the Community Shield last month. However, a new-look Liverpool, overhauled by a near £450 million (RM2.5 billion) spend in the transfer market, have

“I am very pleased to be here and very proud to be representing West Ham United,” Nuno, 51, said. “My objective is to work hard to get the very best from the team and ensure that we are as competitive as we possibly can be. “The work has already started and I am looking forward to the challenge that is ahead.” – AFP/Reuters

BELOW: Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta (left) and Eddie Nketiah celebrate after the match. – REUTERSPIC

Nuno Espirito Santo as their new manager just hours after sacking Graham Potter on Saturday. Nuno agreed a three-year

contract with the Premier

flirted with failure only to be bailed out by a series of late goals. “If one team deserved to win today it was Palace,” said Slot. “Credit to Palace

- Story on page 29

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