Manchester United came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 at Selhurst Park, ending a five-year wait for a league victory at the ground. Jean-Philippe Mateta had given Palace a first-half lead from a retaken penalty, but Joshua Zirkzee equalised early in the second half before Mason Mount scored the winner nine minutes later.
Palace dominated the first half and should have been out of sight. Mateta missed several chances before converting a penalty after Leny Yoro fouled him. However, the goal was disallowed for an accidental double touch, and Mateta scored on the retake. United struggled to create opportunities, with Zirkzee isolated in attack.
After the break, United improved dramatically. Bruno Fernandes’ quick free-kick caught Palace napping, allowing Zirkzee to chest the ball down and fire into the far corner for his first Premier League goal in almost a year. Mount then sealed the win with a sweet strike from a set piece, leaving Palace manager Oliver Glasner frustrated at conceding two goals from dead-ball situations.
Glasner lamented his side’s failure to strengthen the squad in the summer, saying: “Conceding two goals from set pieces makes it very frustrating. It’s clearly our fault – we missed the chance to strengthen the squad.” United manager Ruben Amorim praised his team’s second-half response, stating: “We had the feeling that if we score one goal, it’s going to change completely.”
The victory moves United above Palace into seventh place in the Premier League table.
