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Jurgen Klopp admitted the Reds were fortunate to win 2-1 at 10-man Crystal Palace after Jordan Ayew's harsh red card changed the game late on. Klopp said he had never seen a side play so badly for 76 minutes and still emerge victorious as Liverpool fought back to maintain their title challenge.

Palace were denied a first-half penalty by a VAR intervention but were awarded a spot-kick early in the second period as VAR spotted a foul on Jean-Philippe Mateta by Jarell Quansah.

Mateta converted the penalty, but the Eagles were undone by two controversial yellow cards shown to Ayew. Liverpool took advantage of the red card within seconds as Mohamed Salah's deflected shot brought up his 200th goal for the club.

Substitute Harvey Elliott then fired home a 91st-minute winner from outside the box to take Liverpool a point clear of Arsenal at the top of the table. "I'm a very happy manager in this moment, but I know we were lucky as well," said Klopp.

"If you only win your really good games, you have no chance to be really successful, that's how it is, and obviously today was not a really good game from us. For 76 minutes it was a really bad performance."

Unai Emery's men have now won 15 consecutive Premier Leagues at Villa Park and back-to-back victories over Manchester City and the Gunners have sparked hopes of an unexpected challenge for their first title since 1981.

The only goal came after just six minutes when Villa captain McGinn span onto Leon Bailey's cross and fired into the top corner.

Arsenal's second league defeat of the season leaves Mikel Arteta's men one point behind Liverpool, who went top with a controversial 2-1 win at Crystal Palace earlier on Saturday. Victory was sweet for Emery, who was sacked by Arsenal four years ago.

The Spaniard has made a remarkable impact in just over a year at Villa on his return to England. Arsenal's ascent to the top of the table prior to this weekend has been built on a series of vital late goals.
And the visitors nearly snatched a point in stoppage time as Kai Havertz forced the ball home in a goalmouth scramble, but the German international handled before prodding in at the back post.

Salah becames premier Leagues10 top scores

82' Aston villa 1: 0 Arsenal

7'm Asto villa 1:0 Arsenal