Unusual Sunday Midday Kick-Off Causes Travel Headaches
Football fans were treated to a rare sight this Sunday: a Premier League match kicking off at midday GMT. The unusual scheduling for the Crystal Palace vs Manchester United clash at Selhurst Park has forced a rethink of traditional Sunday routines, with the classic roast dinner firmly put on hold. While the stadium basked in winter sunshine, the early start time posed a significant logistical challenge for the travelling supporters.
Transport Troubles for Away Fans
The timing, selected by broadcasters TNT Sports, has left many feeling the match-going fan has been forgotten. For the United faithful making the journey from Manchester, the first train departed Piccadilly at 8.05am, arriving at London Euston just under an hour before the scheduled start. This left a tight window for a 45-minute journey across the capital, a task complicated by the need for snacks, drinks, and navigating an unfamiliar public transport system for many.
Intriguing Premier League Encounter at Selhurst Park
On the pitch, this promises to be a fascinating contest. Manchester United arrive needing a drastic improvement on their Monday night defeat to 10-man Everton, a performance widely criticised as one of their most toothless and disorganised of the season. That loss ended an unbeaten run stretching back to September.
Their hosts, Crystal Palace, also suffered a midweek setback with a loss away at Strasbourg in the Conference League. However, their overall season has been mostly excellent. The Eagles are 12 points better off than at this stage last season, the highest such improvement in the league. They also hold a strong recent record against United at Selhurst Park, remaining unbeaten in over five years.
All eyes will be on Palace stars Adam Wharton and Jean-Philippe Mateta, both of whom have been linked with moves to United in recent months, to see if they can turn on the style and extend that impressive home record.
