Manchester United produced a statement comeback in south London, battling from a goal behind to defeat Crystal Palace 2-1 at Selhurst Park and climb into the Premier League’s top six. In a season dominated by scrutiny this victory delivered something rarer than three points belief, resilience and clarity of plan under new head coach Ruben Amorim.
Crystal Palace entered the fixture with swagger at home. Selhurst Park had become a fortress,barricaded by a 12 match unbeaten league run, and by half-time the Eagles looked set to pile further pressure on their visitors. Jean Philippe Mateta, Palace’s most trusted marksman, calmly converted a retaken penalty after his initial spot kick was disallowed for a double touch. Twice he wrong footed United’s stand in keeper, Senne Lammens, ensuring Palace led 1-0 at the break deservedly so after dominating the opening 45 minutes.
United had arrived bruised and uneasy, shadows of Monday’s humiliation against 10 man Everton still looming large. In the first half they generated almost nothing outside set pieces and their young back line featuring Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro looked unsettled by Palace’s directness. Yet Amorim’s tactical conviction never wavered; even when momentum suggested disarray, his structure promised a second act.
That second act began nine minutes into the restart. Bruno Fernandes, ageless in responsibility and imagination, delivered another inviting free kick into the danger zone. Joshua Zirkzee, so often symbolic of United’s misfiring investment strategy, flipped the narrative. His first league goal in 364 days arrived in spectacular fashion a vicious instinctive volley from a near impossible angle that crashed past Dean Henderson at his near post. It ended a 24 match drought and sparked a revival few could predict.
Mount’s winning moment followed just past the hour and it too carried symbolism. Injuries had stalled his United career, limiting impact and fueling questions about ROI on his Chelsea switch. Yet with the away end rumbling, he embraced the big stage. Another Fernandes set pieces was cleverly rolled into Mount’s path and the midfielder struck low, beating a fragmented Palace wall before sneaking inside Henderson’s near post. Mount’s second goal of the season completed a swift reversal the home side could not counter.
Amorim paced anxiously pre interval, but post goals his side exuded control unfamiliar to their recent London visits. They managed the closing with poise, ensuring a first Selhurst Park win for a United boss since 2020, while handing Palace back to back 2-1 defeats after leading.
If united needed a reference point for progress, they found it here. For Palace, the European hangover lingers, but for Amorim, the aftershock of crisis have quieted not through words, but through answers earned on the pitch.
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