Manchester United overturned a half-time deficit and ended their Selhurst Park struggles with a hard-fought victory over Crystal Palace, lifting Ruben Amorim’s side back into the Premier League’s top six.
United had not scored at the South London ground since Bruno Fernandes’ strike in January 2023, and their last win there dated back to July 2020, when Anthony Martial was among the scorers. When Palace went ahead after a dominant first half—courtesy of Jean-Philippe Mateta’s twice-taken penalty—few expected United to reverse their poor run at Selhurst Park.
As travelling fans chanted in homage to Eric Cantona, whose notorious 1995 incident at this stadium remains one of the most memorable moments in Premier League history, United’s current crop stepped up when it mattered.
Much-criticised forward Joshua Zirkzee, restored to the starting lineup despite a disappointing display in the defeat to 10-man Everton, levelled the score with a thunderous effort from a tight angle just nine minutes into the second half.
United completed the turnaround when Mason Mount drilled a low shot into the corner from a clever short pass by Fernandes at a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area, leaving goalkeeper Dean Henderson with no chance.
The win ended United’s three-match streak without a victory and denied Crystal Palace the chance to break into the top four.
A unique moment in Premier League history occurred earlier in the match when Mateta’s first successful penalty was ruled out under a new rule introduced this season: if a player kicks the ball twice before it enters the net and scores, the penalty must be retaken. VAR official Matt Donohue alerted referee Rob Jones, who ordered the retake—apparently surprising both players and supporters, many of whom were unaware of the rule change.
Unfazed, Mateta slotted the second attempt into the opposite corner, again sending United goalkeeper Senne Lammens the wrong way.
After losing their previous match to an Everton side reduced to 10 men because of an internal confrontation, United avoided another embarrassing setback. Instead, the match will be remembered for a rare application of a new rule and a significant victory that revived their top-six hopes.
BBC
