Steven Gerrard’s final game for Liverpool at Anfield ended in defeat as Crystal Palace came from behind to seal a deserved 3-1 victory on Sa...
Steven Gerrard’s final game for Liverpool at Anfield ended in defeat as Crystal Palacecame from behind to seal a deserved 3-1 victory on Saturday Night Football.
Liverpool took the lead when Adam Lallana punished Martin Kelly’s mistake with a fine finish after 26 minutes, but Palace then assumed control of the game and equalised through the outstanding Jason Puncheon’s free-kick two minutes before the break.
The visitors moved ahead when substitute Wilfried Zaha bundled home in the 60th minute with his first touch just 23 seconds after coming on, and fellow substitute Glenn Murray wrapped up the victory by stroking home the rebound from his own saved penalty in injury time.
Driven on by a visibly motivated Gerrard, Liverpool applied heavy pressure in the last 15 minutes, but they were poor throughout and Palace fully warranted the three points.
The result sees Liverpool remain fifth and mathematically ends their chances of finishing in the top four, while Palace stay 12th but are now just two points off the top half.
Hull's Premier League status is hanging by a thread after they lost 2-0 at Tottenham, while Leicester are safe after the goalless draw at Sunderland.
The Tigers squandered a number of chances in the first half and were made to pay after the break as Nacer Chadli and Danny Rose found the net to hand Spurs the win that leaves Steve Bruce's men two points adrift of safety.
Hull will need fortune on their side if they are to avoid the drop in next weekend's final round of fixtures.
They will have to beat Manchester United at home and hope Newcastle do not win at home to West Ham, otherwise Hull will join QPR and Burnley in the Sky Bet Championship next year.
The Magpies threw away a good chance to put distance between themselves and the bottom three as they lost 2-1 at QPR.
Emmanuel Riviere put Newcastle ahead with his first league goal for the club, but Matt Phillips and Leroy Fer found the net for Rangers to leave the Toon Army fretting about next weekend's game.
Leicester completed their great escape as they drew at Sunderland to secure their Premier League status.
The Foxes looked doomed in March, but a run of one defeat in eight matches means they are safe with one game to go.
Sunderland are three points above the relegation zone, but one point from their remaining two games will see them safe. The fact that those games are at Arsenal and Chelsea means the Black Cats are still very much in the relegation dogfight, however.
Aston Villaare safe despite a 6-1 drubbing at Southampton in the lunch-time kick-off.
Everton came from behind to beat West Ham at Upton Park. Leon Osman cancelled out Stewart Downing's opener before Romelu Lukaku grabbed all three points for the Toffees with a stoppage-time winner.
Burnley and Stoke played out a goalless draw in Saturday's other match
