The Serb smashed in a late equaliser after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s controversial goal had put the visitors ahead after the break. Crystal Palace captain Luka Milivojevic scored twice from the penalty spot to earn his side a dramatic draw against Arsenal and end the Gunners’ 11-game-winning run.
Milivojevic scored the opener in the first half after Shkodran Mustafi brought down Cheikhou Kouyate. Granit Xhaka’s sublime free-kick had drawn Arsenal level at 1-1.
Wilfried Zaha was brought down by Xhaka in the box with seven minutes to go and Milivojevic drilled his spot-kick to Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno’s right corner, having also beaten him on that side in the first half.
Earlier in the second half, the ball appeared to brush Alexandre Lacazette’s hand before it fell at the back post to Aubameyang, who poked home off the inside of the post – with the ball going over the line by just 9mm.
Before his error in brining down Zaha to give away the late penalty, Xhaka’s stunning curler had cancelled out Milivojevic’s opener – which was Palace’s first goal at home this season. Zaha also hit the outside of the post before the break, while Andros Townsend dragged a shot wide. Palace substitute Max Meyer struck over the bar from close range later in the second half and Alex Iwobi’s deflected shot flew wide.
Arsenal remains fourth in the Premier League table, a point behind Manchester City, while Palace move up to 14th and three points above the relegation zone.
Nerves of steel from Milivojevic
Palace had to wait three months for their first goal at Selhurst Park this season – before Milivojevic provided two against one of the most in-form teams in the league. Last week, Jordan Pickford had denied him from the spot in their 2-0 defeat by Everton, but this time Milivojevic held his nerve to ensure Palace did not finish empty-handed against Arsenal.
The skipper has now scored 11 of his past 13 penalties for Palace and it was the first time he had netted since scoring against Bournemouth in April. His first goal for Crystal Palace was also a penalty against Arsenal, in their 3-0 home win in April 2017.
Source: BBC News
