Manchester United beat Crystal Palace 3-2 at Selhurst Park in the Premier League on Monday evening, Palace took the lead through Andros Townsend in the 11th minute, with Patrick van Aanholt doubling that lead in the 48th minute. United scored their first goal in the 55th minute through Chris Smalling, finding the equaliser through Romelu Lukaku in the 76th minute with Nemanja Matic scoring the winner deep in stoppage time with a stunning volley from 30-yards out.
Key Moments:
11′ Andros Townsend scored the opening goal of the match after being passed the ball inside the box by Christian Benteke and sending his shot on target. Victor Lindelof got the deflection though, which sent the ball past David De Gea. Townsend would have probably scored with his shot anyway.
48′ Crystal Palace went 2-0 up after Patrick van Aanholt scored after being played onside by Victor Lindelof and Chris Smalling turning his back to the player and him running past him, unchallenged and firing past David De Gea. It was another poor defensive performance for Manchester United.
55′ Chris Smalling scores a header to get a goal back for Manchester United after Antonio Valencia put a sublime ball into the box for the defender to hit the back of the net. 2-1 to Palace still.
76′ Romelu Lukaku scored the equaliser for Manchester United after Alexis Sanchez fired his shot from outside the box, the ball deflecting and hitting the crossbar. Lukaku reacted quickly by firing his shot low into the back of the net.
90+1′ Just at the time when a draw seemed to be the result Nemanja Matic pulls one out of the bag from 30-yards out. Hitting the ball sweetly from the volley and the ball curling slightly passed Wayne Hennessey, who made the dive to save the shot. United had won the match 3-2, coming back from 2-0 down. Roy Hodgson must be gutted.
Man of the Match: Nemanja Matic
The Serbian midfielder is my Man of the Match in the 3-2 victory over Palace. His stunning 30-yard volleyed strike past Wayne Hennessey in the dying seconds of the match will be something to remember, especially being his first goal for United. Jose Mourinho may not be happy with the all-round performance of his team, but a win is a win, no matter how it comes.
Match Statistics:
Crystal Palace 2-3 Manchester United pic.twitter.com/IID2A7c6Kh
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Goals: Chris Smalling 55′, Romelu Lukaku 76′, Nemanja Matic 90+1′
Assists: Antonio Valencia 55′
Manchester United: De Gea; Valencia (Mata 67′), Lindelof, Smalling, Young (Shaw 67′); McTominay (Rashford 46′), Matic, Pogba; Sanchez, Lukaku, Lingard
Substitutes Not Used: J. Pereira; Bailly, Darmian; Carrick
Bookings: Scott McTominay 42′, Ashley Young 58′, Nemanja Matic 90+2′