Palace shock Liverpool at Anfield

Apr 23, 2017 - 6:37 PM Crystal Palace have boosted their survival chances by knocking off another top team as Manchester United's push for a top-four finish continued.

Christian Benteke's brace gave Palace a come-from-behind 2-1 win at Liverpool that lifted them seven points clear of the Premier League's relegation places.

"Travelling up yesterday, we saw the other teams won and that put pressure on us," Palace's Andros Townsend told Sky Sports.

"But we have made a habit of upsetting the big teams and have done it again thanks to the big man."

United, meanwhile, beat Burnley 2-0 to move within one point of fourth-placed Manchester City in the final Champions League qualifying spot.

"Individual performances, top. Collective performance, top," United manager Jose Mourinho said.

"Total control of the game. Very good really."

Palace's win was their sixth in eight games and followed recent victories over league leader Chelsea and Arsenal.

Benteke, sold to Palace by Liverpool last summer, came back to haunt his former team with a goal in each half after Philippe Coutinho put the hosts in front.

Palace have won their last three visits to Anfield, becoming the first team to achieve that feat since Chelsea in 2005.

For Liverpool, it's a blow to their hopes of a top-four finish.

They're still four points clear of Manchester City and five ahead of Manchester United, but have played two more games than both.

All six of the Reds' league losses have come against teams in the bottom half of the table entering this weekend's play.

"We were not at our best," manager Juergen Klopp said.

"We tried everything - changing systems - but it didn't work that well because we had a bit of nerves.

"There are games to play and we will be ready."

At Burnley, Mourinho made eight changes from Thursday's Europa League win over Anderlecht with Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial given starts.

And they rewarded their boss by scoring as United extended their unbeaten run in the league to 23 games ahead of a crucial Manchester derby on Thursday.

Martial finished off a counter-attack in the 21st minute to open the scoring and Rooney doubled the lead before half-time by scuffing home from close range.

"The lads who have come in have given the manager something to think about," Rooney told Sky Sports after his first start since March 4.

"We've both scored. It's great to have options. It sets up a big game on Thursday."

Burnley have won just once in their last 11 league games and remain five points clear of the relegation places in 15th.

Source: AAP