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As it happenedended

Arsenal v Crystal Palace LIVE: Gunners held to draw but delay Liverpool title celebrations

Arsenal 2-2 Crystal Palace: Jean-Philippe Mateta’s sublime finish snatched a point for Palace and Liverpool must wait a few more days

Chris Wilson
Thursday 24 April 2025 09:42 BST
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Arsenal kept Liverpool's Premier League title-winning champagne on ice but only just as they were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Crystal Palace.

First-half goals by Jakub Kiwior and Leandro Trossard looked like being enough for a lacklustre Arsenal against a lively Palace side who equalised with an Eberechi Eze volley.

But there was a late twist as Palace substitute Jean-Philippe Mateta produced a superb chipped finish over Arsenal keeper David Raya in the 83rd minute.

The draw left second-placed Arsenal on 67 points from 34 games with Liverpool on 79 from 33. Had Arsenal lost, Liverpool would have won the title on Wednesday but they can now seal it with one point against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Follow all the action from the Emirates below:

Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace

14 mins

Both sides have settled pretty well, though Arsenal of course look very comfortable.

At least, they do until Nketiah latches onto Eze’s long ball and catches Raya out of position, with Devenny very close to turning in the former Arsenal striker’s cross.

Chris Wilson23 April 2025 20:15

Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace

17 mins

Both sides are looking comfortable in possession too, though it’s Palace who need to force the issue.

They’ve had some promising attacks too, and have found ways through the Arsenal defence on occasion.

Chris Wilson23 April 2025 20:20

Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace

20 mins

Devenny and Munoz combine to lead a good Palace counter but it’s stopped before Sterling’s cross at the other end runs to Henderson.

Chris Wilson23 April 2025 20:21

Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace

23 mins

Plenty of possession for Arsenal but not a lot of penetration so far since the goal. Martinelli is unsurprisingly at the forefront of much of the attacking play.

There’s half a chance for the Gunners too, as Sterling exchanges passes with Odegaard before laying it off to Rice, who fires a great half-volley just past the near post.

Chris Wilson23 April 2025 20:24

Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace

26 mins

An understandably subdued game overall so far. Not many challenges flying in, as you’d expect.

Palace are still probing though as Nketiah almost latches onto a through ball before Kamada wins a corner off Rice.

Chris Wilson23 April 2025 20:27

GOAL! Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace

27 mins

GOAL! What a finish that is!

It’s a simple corner routine but the finish is far from easy.

The corner is floated in to Eze in the ‘D’ and he volleys into the ground, with the ball coming off the inside of the post and nestling in the far corner! Perfect.

(Getty Images)
Chris Wilson23 April 2025 20:29

Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace

29 mins

Two brilliant goals so far tonight, though Eze’s is the notable one. One of the goals of the season probably.

Palace are looking to capitalise on their pressure here as Eze picks up the ball in the box and feeds Nketiah, who rolls Kiwior initially before the Polish defender recovers to block the shot from point-blank range!

Chris Wilson23 April 2025 20:31

Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace

31 mins

Another cheeky effort from Eze, who opens his body up and almost allows the ball to bounce onto his foot (rather than hitting it himself) but the effort flies over.

Chris Wilson23 April 2025 20:32

Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace

35 mins

A little more subdued here now as Arsenal look to regain control.

23 April 2025 20:37

Arsenal 1-1 Crystal Palace

38 mins

Nothing comes of an Arsenal free-kick but the Gunners are the ones applying the pressure as we approach the final five minutes of the half.

Chris Wilson23 April 2025 20:39

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