It was Nemanja Matic’s late thunderbolt that capped a dramatic 3-2 win for Manchester United at Crystal Palace on Monday night. United came from two goals down, one in each half to beat Palace 2-3 in a thrilling Premier League match at Selhurst Park.
The Red Devils were shocked after the host took the lead before the 15 minutes mark, courtesy of an Andros Townsend deflected shot, which came off United’s defender, Daniel Linderholf. In spite being a goal down, Mourinho’s side was lackluster. The team lost possession often, with Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez to blame. Romelu Lukaku was kept quiet and rarely troubled the palace defence.
The home side made it two shortly after play resumed in the second half. A quick free kick play in United’s half area released Patrick van Aanholt, who beat helpless David De Gea at his near post.
Chris Smalling, however, started the revival for United; nodding home an Antonio Valencia’s cross into the Palace 18-yard area in the 55th minute. United’s highest goalscorer this season, Romelu Lukaku, brought United level in the 76th minute, after Palace failed to clear a Sanchez’s deflected shot which had hit the cross bar.
David De Gea produced a fantastic right handed safe in the 82nd minute to deny the Roy Hudson’s men from retaking the lead. Pressure on Palace’s defence paid off in the 90th minutes when Matic’s screamer beat the Palace’s goalkeeper, Wayne Hennessey to give United a hard-earned victory.
Manchester United regained the second spot on the table after being pushed to third by Liverpool, who had defeated Newcastle 2-0 on Saturday
The defeat leaves Palace in more precarious position. The team is now 18th on the league table after 29 matches.
Mourinho’s reaction
“You always need that little bit of luck to win a match in the last few minutes,” Mourinho said.
“We played very good quality football in the second half but we made so many defensive mistakes.
“That disgraceful, childish second goal changed everything. But the players kept an amazing attitude.
“I cannot tell you half of the things I told my team at half-time because there would be lots of bleeping on television.
“To come back from 2-0 away from home against a team that is desperate for points, it gives us a great feeling.”
