In a dramatic Premier League encounter at Selhurst Park, Manchester United completed a stunning second-half comeback to defeat Crystal Palace 2-1, ending a five-year wait for a victory at this ground and inflicting the Eagles' first home league defeat since February.
Palace Dominance Thwarted by United Resilience
The first half belonged entirely to the home side. Oliver Glasner's Crystal Palace were rampant, creating a succession of chances that should have put the game beyond United's reach. Jean-Philippe Mateta saw two early efforts drag wide, while Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada also tested the United defence.
The breakthrough finally came from the penalty spot. A precise pass from the influential Wharton lured United defender Leny Yoro into a challenge on his compatriot Mateta inside the area. Mateta dispatched the initial penalty, only for it to be ruled out by the VAR for an accidental double touch. Under new summer laws, a retake was ordered, and the French international made no mistake with his second attempt, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.
United, who had failed to score in their four previous league meetings against Palace, looked powerless to respond before the break and were fortunate not to be further behind after a last-ditch Luke Shaw block and a missed opportunity from substitute Eddie Nketiah.
United's Nine-Minute Turnaround
The momentum of the match shifted decisively eight minutes after the restart. Catching Palace napping, Bruno Fernandes took a quick free-kick, finding Joshua Zirkzee in the box. The Netherlands forward expertly chested the ball down and swivelled in one movement, firing a shot that sailed into the far corner past a stunned Dean Henderson.
The equaliser ignited United, and just nine minutes later, they completed the turnaround. Zirkzee was brought down on the edge of the area by Marc Guéhi. As Fernandes shaped to shoot from the resulting free-kick, he instead rolled it sideways to Mason Mount. A moment's hesitation in the Palace wall allowed Mount to drive a powerful shot past Henderson, securing United's winner.
Consequences and League Standings
Without the injured Ismaïla Sarr's pace to call upon, Palace struggled to mount a significant response in the latter stages, allowing United to see out a crucial three points. The result sees Manchester United move above Crystal Palace into sixth place in the Premier League table.
For United manager Ruben Amorim, it was a vital response to a lacklustre defeat against Everton, marking a much-improved performance. For Oliver Glasner, it was a frustrating end to a long week, with his dominant side ultimately punished for failing to convert their first-half chances.
