ARNE SLOT ADMITTED Liverpool only had themselves to blame after losing their 100% record in a 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace.

The Reds, who have made a habit of scoring late winners this season, were given a taste of their own medicine as Eddie Nketiah won it for Palace at the end of seven minutes of stoppage time.

It was all the more gut-wrenching for Slot after Federico Chiesa thought he had rescued a point for the champions when he cancelled out Ismaila Sarr’s early goal three minutes from time.

But from a long throw-in Jeremie Frimpong momentarily switched off, leaving Nketiah unmarked at the far post to snatch a dramatic and memorable victory.

“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.”

Palace, in fairness, should have been out of sight by half-time, such was their dominance in the first half when Liverpool were rescued three times by goalkeeper Alisson Becker and once by the post from Jean-Philippe Mateta.

“It was a disappointing first half and disappointing end to game,” added Slot.

“Credit to Palace – 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. The second half was much better from us, we created chances which not many teams do here.

“It took us a while to score a goal – and when we did, to concede another set-piece goal is just as disappointing as the first half.

“If one team deserved to win today it was Palace.”

Nketiah’s winner prompted Palace boss Oliver Glasner to go haring down the touchline in celebration.

“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. I’m very proud of our performance.”

Palace are now the only unbeaten team left in the Premier League, but Glasner said: “It’s just September.

“Last year we might have been the only team not to get a win at this stage. But it’s great to win against the champions.”

Shelbourne 1

Athlone Town 2

Darryl Geraghty reports from Tolka Park

ATHLONE TOWN CAN make it back to back league titles with a win on Wednesday at Turner’s Cross having edged out an injury-plagued Shelbourne who battled right to the final whistle.

Goals from Hannah Waesch and Kelly Brady either side of the break put one hand on the title for The Town, only for Jemma Quinn to set up a nail-biting ending with a powerful header.

Prior to the game, the hosts knew it was now or never as anything less than a win would mean they would end the season trophy-less for the first time in a couple of years.

And the determined Reds started the game like a house on fire, thinking they had taken a crucial lead in the third minute. Leah Doyle’s viciously whipped free-kick from the right wing was nodded home by skipper Pearl Slattery, but the celebrations were cut short when the flag was raised for the narrowest of offsides.

The breathless cup final feel continued as both sides pressed each other relentlessly all over the park, refusing to give an inch.

The double-chasing visitors, who had the insurance policy of the midweek trip to Cork to potentially seal their second league title in a row, went close themselves when Kelly Brady got a yard to turn and ran at the heart of the Shels rearguard. The Town’s star striker cleverly cut inside onto her right but dragged her shot just wide of Amanda McQuillan’s near post.

The added narrative of the battle to finish as the league top scorers added an extra storyline to the heated rivalry as Mackenzie Anthony and Brady looked to fire their side to glory.

The former then stung the palms of Megan Plaschko from a tight angle, having been teed up by Noelle Murray, who was like a player possessed.

Madie Gibson in action against Jess Gargan. Bryan Keane / INPHO


Bryan Keane / INPHO / INPHO

Midway through the drama-filled first half, there was another huge call for the officials to make as Alexis Strickland flew into a challenge on Murray, with the American seemingly going over the top of the ball and, upon reflection, was lucky to receive just a yellow.

Eoin Wearen must have been thinking who he had upset as the host’s injury hoodoo struck yet again. Having already lost Kate Mooney, Keeva Keenan and Kavanagh to nasty injuries, the creative Roma McLoughlin then pulled up with a muscle injury having seen her powerful shot blocked.

The visitors regrouped following the brief stoppage and went agonisingly close to edging ahead when captain Madie Gibson delivered a delightful ball from the left that caused mass confusion, resulting in Brady’s lofted header cleared off the line by the recovering Doyle.

And on the stroke of half time, the league leaders showed their ruthlessness in front of goal to take a huge lead. Shauna Brennan swung in a cross deep from the left that made its way in behind Lucy O’Rourke. Waesch kept the ball alive and cleverly turned back inside the left centre-back and finished from close range to stun the home support.

Both heavyweights continued to slug it out as tension filled Tolka Park with the game on a knife edge.

And just after the hour-mark, it was Athlone who doubled their lead through a lightning quick counter attack.

Substitute Emma Mooney slipped in Brady who then showed incredible strength and athleticism to hold off Leah Doyle and finish calmly through McQuillan’s legs sparking wild celebrations on the Athlone bench. In doing so, she went level with Anthony on 16 goals.

Despite going further behind, the home side refused to drop their head with plenty of time remaining.

Athlone celebrate as Pearl Slattery is left dejected. Bryan Keane / INPHO


Bryan Keane / INPHO / INPHO

Throwing everything they had at the blue and black wall, Megan Smyth-Lynch put the ball on the chest of Slattery who volleyed over with the goal at her mercy, with 20-minutes still to go.

Belief was building and despite time trickling away, the grandstand finish was set up deliciously when Doyle’s inswinging corner was powered home by substitute Quinn.

With just seconds remaining, the hosts earned that one chance they had been so desperately craving. The tireless Anthony battled to retrieve possession, keeping the ball alive, as it sat up invitingly yet again for Slattery who tried to control her shot and keep it low but failed to hit the bottom corner, as Player of the Match Megan Plaschko got down to make what turned out to be a game-winning save as her side held on to go within touching distance of retaining their title.

Shelbourne: Amanda McQuillan; Nia Hannon (Megan Smyth-Lynch, 61’), Pearl Slattery, Lucy O’Rourke; Jess Gargan, Aoibheann Clancy, Rachel Graham (Maeve Wollmer, 61’), Roma McLoughlin (Gabriella Del Pico, 28’), Leah Doyle; Noelle Murray (Jemma Quinn, 68’), Mackenzie Anthony.

Athlone Town: Megan Plaschko; Kellie Brennan, Shauna Brennan, Natalie McNally, Kayleigh Shine; Kate Slevin (Izzy Groves, 90’), Hannah Waesch; Roisin Molloy, Alexis Strickland (Emma Mooney, 59’), Madison Gibson (Isabel Ryan, 78’); Kelly Brady

Referee: Mark Houlihan.

Today’s other Women’s Premier Division results 

• Bohemians 3-2 Sligo Rovers 
• Treaty United 0-6 Peamount United 
• Waerford 1-8 Shamrock Rovers
• Wexford 0-0 Galway United HT

RUBEN AMORIM SAID he would not try to protect himself or his players from the mounting pressure after Manchester United crashed to a dismal 3-1 defeat at Brentford on Saturday.

Lacklustre United’s third loss in six Premier League games this season has left Amorim fighting to avoid the sack.

Amorim’s side were punished for shambolic defending as Igor Thiago netted twice in the first half.

Benjamin Sesko, signed from Leipzig in the summer, bagged his first goal for United before half-time.

But Amorim’s misery mounted when United captain Bruno Fernandes had a second half penalty saved by Caoimhin Kelleher before Mathias Jensen struck in stoppage-time.

After Jensen’s decisive goal, Amorim had to endure chants of, ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning,’ from jubilant Brentford fans at the Gtech Community Stadium.

“Ups and downs, when you win you feel the momentum is here,” said Amorim, who is still waiting to record successive league wins since taking charge in November.

“When you lose you go back to the same place and fight for the one win that can help you to create the momentum.

“I am always doing my job. If I win I’m in different state of mind, but I am always confident because I know what to do.

“I am trying to do my best for the club and the team, thinking what is the best to win the next game. Not to protect the players or myself, win the next game and create the momentum.”

Brentford might have been reduced to 10 men for the final 20 minutes when Nathan Collins dragged down former Bees striker Bryan Mbeumo.

But referee Craig Pawson deemed a spot-kick sufficient punishment and Collins did not see red, despite the defender not appearing to have any intention to play the ball.

“The referee told me Bryan is not in control of the ball. I think he is not in control of the ball because he was pulled. But that is the decision and I do not want to focus on the referee,” Amorim said.

– ‘We never settled down’ –

Amorim was reportedly backed by United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe during a recent meeting at the club’s training ground.

But Ratcliffe’s support could be wavering after United’s latest ignominious loss.

The former Sporting Lisbon boss was regarded as one of the brightest young coaches in Europe when he arrived to replace the sacked Erik ten Hag.

But Amorim has found it impossible to lift United out of the malaise that has gripped them since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 after winning their most recent Premier League title.

Amorim presided over United’s worst top-flight season since 1973-74 and watched as they slumped to a limp 1-0 defeat against Tottenham in the Europa League final last season.

Ratcliffe gave Amorim over £250 million [€286m] to spend on Sesko, Matheus Cunha and former Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo in a bid to revitalise his spluttering attack.

United have made a miserable start despite that investment, losing to Arsenal, Manchester City and Brentford, as well as suffering a humiliating League Cup loss at fourth tier Grimsby.

Amorim conceded United have a host of problems to solve before result can improve.

“The penalty in the second half changed things, but we never settled down. Possession and control of the game was never there, so we lost,” he said.

“We need to work on a lot of things and my biggest concern is we did not settle down in the game, missed a lot of crosses in final third, and suffered from transitions.

“We play the game of Brentford and when you play the opponents’ game it is harder to win.”

– © AFP 2025