Manchester United produced a fine second-half turnaround to defeat Crystal Palace 2-1 at Selhurst Park, breaking a four-year winless run at the ground and climbing back into the Premier League’s top six.
United had not scored at the venue since Bruno Fernandes’ strike in January 2023 and had not won there since July 2020, when Anthony Martial was among the scorers.
When Palace went into half-time ahead after a dominant display, few expected Ruben Amorim’s side to flip the script.
New penalty retake rule takes centre stage
Palace’s opener came from Jean-Philippe Mateta, who benefitted from a newly enforced Premier League rule.
The striker initially converted a penalty nine minutes before the break, only for VAR to alert referee Rob Jones that Mateta had kicked the ball twice before it crossed the line, now an automatic retake.
The law, in effect from this season, had its first real application, triggering confusion among both sets of players and supporters.
Mateta showed no nerves, sending Senne Lammens the wrong way a second time to give Palace the lead.
Zirkzee answers critics with fierce equaliser
United entered the clash on the back of three winless games and a damaging defeat to 10-man Everton. Their response required character, and it came from an unlikely source.
Joshua Zirkzee, heavily criticized since joining the club and largely written off after a string of off-colour performances, vindicated Amorim’s decision to keep faith with him.
The Dutchman lashed a swerving strike from a tight angle nine minutes into the second half, beating former United goalkeeper Dean Henderson for his first Premier League goal in almost a year.
The finish may prove crucial for Zirkzee, whose minutes have dried up and whose international prospects with the Netherlands have stalled
Mount completes the comeback
United’s momentum surged, and just nine minutes later, Mason Mount struck the decisive blow. A quick, smart free-kick from Fernandes caught Palace unprepared, allowing Mount to drill a low shot into the bottom corner.
From that point, United shifted into game-management mode, exploiting Palace’s fatigue after their European fixture less than three days earlier.
The home side, who would have moved into the top four with a win, ran out of energy and ideas.
