LONDON: Manchester United ended Crystal Palace’s nine-month unbeaten Premier League run at Selhurst Park with a spirited 2-1 comeback victory on Sunday, powered by second-half goals from Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount.
United, who had won just once in their previous 12 away fixtures, climbed to sixth in the table with 21 points, moving above Palace, who now sit seventh on 20.
Palace struck first in the 36th minute after Jean-Philippe Mateta converted from the spot. The Frenchman was asked to retake his penalty due to a double touch on his initial attempt, but he kept his composure and sent goalkeeper Senne Lammens the wrong way again. The opener came after Leny Yoro’s reckless challenge gifted the hosts their opportunity.
Rúben Amorim’s side returned from the break transformed. Zirkzee, handed a start in place of the injured Matheus Cunha, equalised in the 54th minute with his first league goal in nearly a year. The Dutch forward chested down a free kick and drilled a superb finish from a tight angle into the far corner past Dean Henderson.
Just nine minutes later, Mount completed the turnaround. A cleverly worked free kick fell kindly into his path, and the midfielder drove a low shot through a crowded box to give United a deserved lead.
Both sides created plenty of chances, registering 13 shots apiece. United could have been ahead earlier when Casemiro had multiple attempts from close range, only for Henderson to produce sharp reflexes to keep Palace in it.
But the night ultimately belonged to United, who showed resilience and precision to claim a vital away victory and keep pace in the race for European places.
