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Liverpool Survive Crystal Palace Scare To Move Seven Points Clear

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Liverpool players celebrate Sadio Mane's late goal
Liverpool players celebrate Sadio Mane’s late goal

Mohamed Salah scored twice – including his 50th Premier League goal – as Liverpool survived a scare by coming from behind to defeat a resolute Crystal Palace in a seven-goal thriller at Anfield.

The Reds led 3-2 as the final whistle of a topsy-turvy match approached, but after James Milner was sent off in the 89th minute for two yellow-card offences, it was a nervy ending as the Premier League leaders desperately tried to hold on to their lead.

The win was ultimately secured when Sadio Mane added a fourth in stoppage time, though there was still time for Max Meyer to score a consolation for the visitors.

Liverpool had dominated the vast majority of the first half at Anfield but it was Palace who broke the deadlock through Andros Townsend, who beat Alisson from close range after Wilfried Zaha pulled a cross back.

The hosts came out for the second period with goals on the agenda, and it took just one minute for Salah to equalise before they went ahead seven minutes later through Roberto Firmino.

Palace were not down and out just yet, though, and James Tomkins capitalised on poor defending to head his side level from a corner.

However, a calamitous error by Julian Speroni – making his first appearance since December 2017 – handed Liverpool an advantage they did not relinquish again, the visitors’ keeper scooping the ball towards his own net for Salah to poke in from on the line.

With the rest of the top four yet to play this weekend, Liverpool remain seven points clear at the top of the table, while Crystal Palace stay 14th.

Liverpool battle through

It was a tense performance from start to finish on a day Liverpool were paying tribute to Bob Paisley, the club’s most successful manager, before what would have been his 100th birthday on Wednesday.

Prior to Saturday’s game, Liverpool had conceded just three goals at home all season, but that was soon to change as Roy Hodgson’s Palace rolled into town.

Making his first start for the Reds since 11 December, Joel Matip had two early chances to open the scoring but Jurgen Klopp’s side struggled to find a response after Townsend’s goal.

Whatever Klopp said to his players in the dressing room at half-time worked, though, with Salah bringing his side level with a toe poke after Virgil van Dijk’s long-range effort had deflected into his path off James McArthur.

It was a goal that lifted the atmosphere at Anfield as Liverpool capitalised on the change of tempo, Firmino making no mistake with his right foot to put the Reds ahead.

Sloppy defending at a corner allowed Tomkins to equalise but Speroni soon gifted Liverpool the winner with a mistake he will not forget in a hurry, Salah tapping home from on the goalline for his half-century of top-flight strikes.

Three points were secured when Mane scored a simple goal, after Milner had been dismissed for two mistimed challenges on Zaha.

Liverpool have now won seven consecutive Premier League home games for the first time since January 2014, and extend their unbeaten league run at Anfield to 32 matches.

Palace give Reds a run for their money

The Eagles have impressed against the Premier League’s big guns this season, most notably their 3-2 win over second-placed Manchester City in December, and it looked as though they could pull off a repeat of that Etihad Stadium victory as they refused to allow Liverpool to play the football they wanted.

Never before had a Hodgson side conceded a goal against the Reds at Anfield and their opener, which was against the run of play, shocked Liverpool into silence and sent them into the break with the advantage.

Luck was on their side as their hosts struggled to supply the final pass. Even after Liverpool went ahead, Zaha and Patrick van Aanholt continued to be a nuisance for their defence and Tomkins’ goal was a just reward for their resilience.

Hodgson made three substitutions in quick succession as Palace searched for an equaliser after Salah’s second, with one of them, Jeffrey Schlupp, going close from a Van Aanholt free-kick.

Liverpool last conceded three goals at home in the league almost exactly a year ago when they beat Manchester City 4-3

Even Meyer’s late strike – his first in a Palace shirt – proved not to be enough as Liverpool continued their journey towards the title despite conceding three at home in the league for the first time since a 4-3 win over Manchester City on 14 January 2018.

Man of the match – Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)

Jordan Henderson hugs Jurgen Klopp at full-time
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson can sometimes go without credit, but he stayed calm when his side were under pressure with exceptional passing to create chances for his team

Liverpool bring up their 1,000 – match stats

  • Crystal Palace are the first Premier League team to score more than once at Anfield since February 2018, when Tottenham drew 2-2 with Liverpool.
  • Liverpool hit the 1,000 goal mark in home games in the Premier League, becoming only the third side to do so after Manchester United and Chelsea.
  • Crystal Palace keeper Julian Speroni (39 years 246 days) became the oldest player to make a Premier League appearance this season, and the oldest to appear in the competition since Shay Given (40 years 151 days) in September 2016.
  • Wilfried Zaha’s assist for Palace’s opener was his first goal involvement in his past 14 league games.
  • Palace’s Andros Townsend scored his fourth league goal of the season, equalling his best in a Premier League campaign (also four in 2015-16).
  • Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah scored his 50th Premier League goal in his 72nd appearance in the competition – only Andrew Cole (65), Alan Shearer (66) and Ruud van Nistelrooy (68) have reached the milestone in fewer appearances.
  • Since Jurgen Klopp took over at Liverpool in October 2015, Roberto Firmino has been directly involved in 69 Premier League goals, more than any other player for the Reds (45 goals, 24 assists).
  • James Milner picked up his second red card for Liverpool in the league. He was also sent off against Crystal Palace in March 2016 after fouling Wilfried Zaha.
  • Liverpool’s Sadio Mane has scored in his past four Premier League games against Palace, the first time he has netted four in a row against one opponent in the competition.

What’s next?

Next weekend sees the FA Cup return so Liverpool, having been knocked out in the third round, now have a 10-day break before hosting Leicester in the league on Wednesday, 30 January (20:00 GMT kick-off).

Palace host Premier League rivals Tottenham in the FA Cup next Sunday (16:00) before travelling to Southampton in the league on 30 January (19:45).

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Entertainment Gists

“Lagos Gave Me My Greatest Successes and Deepest Heartbreak”: Cuppy Opens Up in New IFEOLUWA Documentary

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On her birthday, Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola invites viewers beyond the public image and into a more personal story of home, family, identity and purpose.

For years, Nigerians have known Florence “Cuppy” Otedola as the internationally recognised DJ and philanthropist with the famous pink hair and vibrant public personality. This birthday, she is inviting audiences to see a side of her that rarely takes centre stage.

Released on 11 November 2026, her new 12 minute documentary, IFEOLUWA, follows Cuppy back to Lagos, the city that shaped her and remains close to her heart. It is also, as the film explores, a place connected to some of her greatest successes and deepest heartbreak.

The title IFEOLUWA means “The Love of God”. Rather than another glamorous birthday celebration, Cuppy is marking the occasion by sharing a more reflective portrait of the woman behind the spotlight. The film explores womanhood, ambition, identity, belonging and the ongoing process of becoming.

There are tender moments, too. Viewers see Cuppy not just as a public figure, but as a daughter, sister and granddaughter. Her time with her grandmother offers an especially intimate glimpse of the affection and family ties at the heart of her story.

The documentary also captures an evolution that audiences may already have noticed. The signature pink hair has given way to a new look and a more grounded chapter, with faith, education and service increasingly central to how Cuppy speaks about her future. It is not a rejection of music, but a fuller picture of the person behind it.

Her philanthropic work remains an important part of that picture. Through the Cuppy Foundation, she has helped raise more than $17 million to support displaced children in Nigeria in partnership with Save the Children. She has also established education funds at the University of Oxford, New York University and King’s College London to help students overcome financial barriers, particularly those from Africa.

Alongside this work, Cuppy remains active as an international DJ, with performances including Glastonbury, Wireless Festival and Cannes Lions, as well as events during United Nations General Assembly week.

At its heart, IFEOLUWA is about more than a familiar celebrity image. It is a personal homecoming and an invitation to understand how family, faith, Lagos and lived experience are shaping Cuppy’s next chapter.

Watch IFEOLUWA on YouTube

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Druppythekid Set to release New Two-Track Pack

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Nigerian emerging artist Druppythekid is set to release his new two-track pack, No Love and LA LA LA (Serenade), on November 13, 2026, delivering a message of ambition, self-belief, and defiance in the face of criticism.

Originally from Kwara State and based in Lagos, Druppythekid developed a love for rap, hip-hop, and pop music as a teenager. Introduced to poetry in high school, he found a natural connection between words and rap, eventually joining a rap group before exploring music production at university. After graduation, he began rapping over his own beats, turning his passion into a growing musical pursuit.

On “No Love,” Druppythekid speaks to the determination required to chase dreams despite doubt and opposition. “LA LA LA (Serenade)” takes a more unapologetic approach, dismissing the opinions of those who never believed in him.

Together, the two records reflect one central message: keep pursuing your vision and never let the opinions of others define your journey.

No Love and LA LA LA (Serenade) arrive on major digital streaming platforms on November 13, 2026.

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Who Is Chinwe Zoe? The Nigerian Gospel Singer Behind “Undeniable

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Chinwe Zoe, a Nigerian gospel singer and songwriter, began recording music in December 2025 after years of singing in church and at home. Less than a year later, she has released three singles, including “Chinwendum”, featuring gospel singer Frank Edwards, “Undeniable” and “Jesus Don Win”, her October 2026 release produced by Masterkraft.

For Zoe, the decision to record was connected to a personal experience that changed how she viewed her life and faith. She has described it as a near-death experience that left her with a renewed sense of gratitude. “In that moment, when I thought it was over, God showed me mercy,” she said. “He gave me victory. And that victory was too loud to keep inside.”

Her debut, “Chinwendum”, was released in December 2025 with Frank Edwards featured on the record. She followed it with “Undeniable” on May 7, 2026. The song’s official video has recorded more than 460,000 views on YouTube. In October, she released “Jesus Don Win”, produced by Masterkraft, with a video directed by Avalon Okpe.

Zoe’s approach to songwriting draws on personal experiences and scripture. She has said that she does not begin the process by searching for a melody, but by waiting for a message that she can develop into a song. She describes a process in which an experience or scripture stays with her until it takes musical form. The melody follows, and she hums it before committing anything to writing.

Her guiding principle is that a gospel song should be accessible to listeners while remaining suitable for congregational worship. “It should be simple enough for a child to sing and strong enough for a choir to carry,” she said.

Zoe has identified CeCe Winans, Nathaniel Bassey and Dunsin Oyekan among the musicians whose work has influenced her. She sings in English and Igbo, and occasionally in Pidgin, drawing on the worship tradition in her musical expression.

“Every song I sing comes from a place I have lived,” she said. “My pain taught me how to worship, my joy taught me how to praise.”

Her music has also begun attracting an online audience. Her YouTube channel has recorded more than 627,000 views across nine videos, while her Spotify monthly listeners have been reported at approximately 6,500. Her Audiomack profile is verified. Zoe records under her own imprint, H2 Records, with distribution through ONErpm. She made her first public performance at the 2026 Annual Virtuous Women Network conference in Enugu, where she performed “Undeniable”.

Outside music, she has spoken about her interest in soul winning and described it as connected to her musical work. She has also said that she wants her songs to encourage listeners facing difficult circumstances. “I want my songs to shift mindsets from worry to worship,” she said. “Whenever anxiety comes, whenever life tries to make you feel small, I want you to hear my sound in your spirit and declare victory over your life.”

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