Crystal Palace secured a controversial lead against Manchester United, becoming the first Premier League match directly influenced by a significant new rule change this season.
The Controversial Spot-Kick
During the first half of the Sunday lunchtime clash at Selhurst Park, Jean-Philippe Mateta was brought down in the box by United defender Leny Yoro, prompting the referee to award a penalty. The Palace striker stepped up and saw his initial, scuffed effort trickle into the bottom corner of the net, sending the home fans into celebration.
However, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system quickly intervened. Replays showed that Mateta had accidentally struck the ball twice, with the ball making contact with his standing foot before bobbling over the line.
A New Rule Comes Into Play
Under the previous laws of the game, this infringement would have resulted in an indirect free-kick being awarded to Manchester United, disallowing the goal. But a key amendment introduced ahead of the 2025-26 Premier League season changed the outcome entirely.
The new regulation states that if a player commits a double touch during a penalty kick but still manages to score, they are permitted to retake the spot-kick. Because Mateta's first attempt ended up in the net, he was given a second chance from twelve yards.
Second Time Lucky for Palace
Presented with this unexpected opportunity, Mateta made no mistake. The forward confidently swept his retaken penalty into the opposite corner, ultimately giving Crystal Palace a lead they would not relinquish. This incident marks the first time a team has conceded a goal under these new regulations, with Manchester United becoming the first club on the wrong end of the rule change.
The match, played on November 30, 2025, will now be remembered not just for the result, but for this pivotal moment that highlighted the evolving nature of the game's laws.
