Walter Benítez produced one of the defining moments in Crystal Palace’s 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest, denying Liam Delap from close range when the visitors appeared certain to score. The goalkeeper had been left on the ground after Morgan Gibbs-White’s effort struck the crossbar, but quickly recovered to throw himself back into the action and keep Delap’s powerful attempt out.
The intervention was crucial. Forest would have moved two goals ahead had the ball crossed the line, yet Benítez’s reflexes kept Palace within reach. The Eagles turned the match around just minutes later, giving the save even greater significance. Benítez later told Sky Sports that the situation unfolded so quickly he could not recall every detail, but said he focused on getting his body behind the ball and was delighted with both the stop and the result.
The moment also brings to mind Vicente Guaita’s late intervention at Burnley in November 2021. With the match level at 3-3, Matej Vydra met Josh Brownhill’s lofted delivery and looked ready to snatch victory. Guaita reacted sharply to divert the effort around the post, preserving a valuable point for Palace at Turf Moor.
Dean Henderson was also instrumental when Palace defeated Liverpool, with Eddie Nketiah scoring the winning goal virtually at the end. Earlier in that contest, Ryan Gravenberch unleashed a fierce rising shot after a blocked Mohamed Salah free-kick. Henderson reached high to his right and turned the effort onto the woodwork, a save later nominated for the Premier League’s Save of the Month award.
No collection of memorable Palace saves would be complete without Julian Speroni. The former Eagles goalkeeper’s one-handed stop to keep out Scott Arfield’s firmly struck penalty in the 85th minute stands out, while his denial of Troy Deeney in the 2013 Championship play-off final remains another celebrated example of Speroni delivering when Palace needed him most.
