A stunning Julian Gray strike and a Stephane Henchoz own-goal gave 10-man Crystal Palace a sensational win over Liverpool to provide the shock of the FA Cup fourth round.

Gray crashed his shot past Jerzy Dudek on 55 minutes to set up Palace's win and then provided the cross which Henchoz deflected into his own net 11 minutes from time.

Maybe this defeat will prove a blessing in disguise Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier

In between the goals, Palace substitute Dougie Freedman was dismissed for elbowing Sami Hyypia in the face.

But Liverpool were unable to make use of their numerical advantage and Gerard Houllier's misfiring team have given their manager another hugely disappointing performance to ponder.

Key moments

55 mins: Julian Gray gives Palace a shock lead 70 mins: Dougie Freedman is sent off for elbowing Sami Hyypia 79 mins: Stephane Henchoz puts through his own goal

In particular both Michael Owen and Emile Heskey were guilty of some very sloppy finishing.

The opening half gave only an inkling of the drama that was to unfold.

After both Bruno Cheyrou and Hyypia had spurned reasonable chances in the game's opening minute, Owen soon proved similarly wayward pulling his shot wide.

On 11 minutes Cheyrou's pass released Owen but his effort was again wide as he angled his shot over Cedric Berthelin.

Palace's French keeper - deputising for Alex Kolinko after the Latvian's refusal to play at Leicester on Saturday - was also a thorn in Liverpool's side.

It is not that often you go to Liverpool and win Trevor Francis

He looked tentative in tipping over Cheyrou's scuffed volley in that opening minute, but then grew in confidence.

The Palace keeper's best first-half save was to deny Cheyrou's fierce drive after the French international broke into the box, Berthelin stopping the ball with his outstretched right-hand.

Late in the half Berthelin also did well to stand up to Owen after the England international bore down on the Palace goal.

Freedman was sent off for elbowing Hyypia

The majority of Liverpool's attacks stemmed down the right with El-Hadji Diouf and Heskey working in tandem.

It was a Diouf run and pass that created Owen's best opening - barely six yards out - but the England international blasted over.

With only Dele Adebole in attack, Palace initially struggled to create attacking opportunities.

So much so that Francis took off left-back Danny Granville and introduced Dougie Freedman to provide Adebole with more support.

On 55 minutes the youngster Gray showed Owen and Heskey how to finish.

Danny Butterfield crossed from the right and after Adebole had mistimed his header, Gray thumped the ball home.

Andrew Johnson should have doubled Palace's advantage but was denied by Dudek's quickness in narrowing the angle.

It was Gray's pass that led to Palace's second as Henchoz lunged to prod the ball past Dudek.

Palace will now meet Leeds in a money-spinning fifth round tie.

Liverpool: Dudek, Carragher, Henchoz, Hyypia, Riise, Diouf, Murphy (Baros 67), Hamann, Cheyrou, Owen, Heskey.
Subs Not Used: Arphexad, Diao, Biscan, Traore.

Crystal Palace: Berthelin, Symons, Powell, Popovic, Butterfield, Mullins, Derry, Gray, Granville (Freedman 36), Adebola (Akinbiyi 90), Johnson (Thomson 88).
Subs Not Used: Black, Cronin.

Sent Off: Freedman (70).

Booked: Derry.

Attendance: 35,109.

Referee: P Dowd (Staffordshire).