🔗 Share this article

Just when the Portuguese coach must have thought his luck wasn't changing, Manchester United secured Crystal Palace's opening Selhurst Park setback in domestic football since February.

Oliver Glasner's team dominated early justifiably opened the scoring through Jean-Philippe Mateta's repeated spot-kick. Yet they were unable to convert superiority into goals after previously struggling to find the net at Selhurst, the visitors responded with a rapid double via their summer signing plus the former Chelsea player.

Frustrating Encounter for Palace

It was a frustrating encounter finishing of a long week for the Palace boss, who observed the Senegalese international limp off with a worrying issue in the first period.

Ruben Amorim likely maintained his emotions in check as he headed toward the dressing room directly following the final whistle.

Strategic Adjustments

Amorim had played down similarities regarding the two coaches' strategic methods in the buildup, while admitting that Glasner's team "currently execute things better than us|aspects superior to ours|elements more effectively".

The reaction following the poor performance facing ten Toffees involved altering the wide defenders, featuring the Ivorian shifting to the right side while the Portuguese assumed Dorgu's position.

Initial Attempts

Amorim's team probably recognized an opportunity to profit considering they enjoyed extra rest days and came close to leading after 43 seconds.

An extended delivery created confusion in the Palace area but somehow the former United goalkeeper executed a reflex block near the net to prevent the midfielder.

Eagles' Dominance

The narrow escape served as a wake-up call for Palace after the early kick-off that was scheduled for broadcast purposes.

Quickly opportunities began to come frequently. Following wasted numerous attempts on Thursday, it seemed like it might not be the Frenchman's match as he pulled efforts missing the goal during the first quarter.

Breakthrough

But in a week where negotiations regarding the striker's new deal faced delays, Mateta stepped up who found the breakthrough.

One more perfect ball from Wharton lured Leny Yoro into making contact following an earlier a brilliant block to stop the winger, the young defender could only bring down his fellow Frenchman in the penalty box.

Second Half Recovery

The goalkeeper returned in a baseball cap to shield his eyes from the low sun yet he'll feel regret to have allowed United to draw equal after the restart.

Glasner's team was unprepared from a rapid Fernandes set-piece enabling the Dutchman to chest the ball down and swivel in the same movement to unleash an attempt that sailed into the far corner.

Winning Strike

After enduring a goalmouth scramble as the forward came close another time defensively, their afternoon got even better moments after when the Netherlands forward was tripped near the 18-yard line by the English center-back.

A brief pause occurred in the defensive wall when Fernandes rolled the dead ball to the midfielder enabling the Englishman to score past the keeper with a powerful drive.

Vital Three Points

Missing the Senegal international's acceleration to depend on, Palace could barely muster another chance as United were able to secure a crucial victory that means Manchester United leapfrog the Eagles up to sixth spot.