Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United: Report, result and goals as Red Devils come from behind

Manchester United came from behind at Selhurst Park to claim a valuable 2-1 win against Crystal Palace, overturning a first-half deficit with two well-taken goals from Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount.

Palace had led through Jean-Philippe Mateta’s retaken penalty, but a slow and controlling United performance after the break shifted the tone of the contest, eventually silencing a home crowd that had roared through much of the afternoon.

Palace began brighter and more assured. Within the opening minutes they were first to loose balls, sharper in transitions and quick to find spaces down the United left.

Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada dictated early rhythm in midfield, with Mateta an energetic focal point up front.

The first real threat came after just 60 seconds when a Luke Shaw clearance led to a long Dalot throw at the opposite end, Casemiro forcing Dean Henderson into two rapid saves at close range.

Palace responded almost immediately. Kamada set the tone with tackles that drew loud approval, while Wharton’s fierce half-volley was beaten away by Arne Lammens.

Mateta twice went close soon after, the first a driven effort into the side netting and the second a low strike pulled wide after a ricochet off Leny Yoro.

Pressure told on 32 minutes when Wharton slipped a clever pass into Mateta, only for Yoro to bring the striker down.

Mateta initially converted the penalty, but VAR spotted a double touch, forcing a retake. With his second attempt the forward went low into the bottom corner, giving Palace a lead they merited based on chances created.

United looked short of presence in the final third beyond Casemiro, and Zirkzee endured a quiet opening spell. Palace’s wing-backs continued to stretch the game well and by half-time the hosts had produced the stronger attacking patterns.

Second half

The second half shifted noticeably. United emerged with more purpose, quicker in their press and brave in their use of set-pieces.

Within nine minutes they were level. Bruno Fernandes, who had been largely contained until that point, delivered a free-kick from the left channel.

Zirkzee controlled on his chest inside a tight space and drove a low finish past Henderson from a narrow angle, ending a long personal drought.

Palace lost some of the momentum they held so effortlessly before the interval. Kamada, outstanding earlier, was substituted along with Wharton as Oliver Glasner sought fresh energy.

Instead it was United who accelerated, and with 63 minutes gone they struck a second. Fernandes again played provider, sliding the ball to Mount on the left-side of the area.

Mount struck low and true across the keeper, nestling his effort inside the far post for just his second league goal of the season.

The final half-hour became a test of game management. United controlled territory without overextending, while Palace pushed wider and more direct.

Crosses from Pino, long throws from Lerma and late efforts from substitute Eddie Nketiah kept Selhurst Park hopeful, but few chances fully opened for the home side.

A flurry of late pressure saw shots blocked inside a crowded area and a final free-kick struck tamely into a wall as the clock hit 95 minutes.