Stunning Nemanja Matic Goal Gives Man United Late Win Over Crystal Palace

The Red Devils were touted as overwhelming favourites when they traveled to relegation-threatened Crystal Palace for a Monday night clash under the London lights.

With the win, United climbed back to the second spot in the league table with 62 points, two more than Liverpool who stand third.

After hitting back from a goal down to beat Chelsea last weekend, Mourinho insisted this was another demonstration that United have the spirit and desire to overcome perilous predicaments. For the first 15 minutes or so, they were a wobbly mess, totally unable to deal with Crystal Palace’s rambunctious front two.

DF Chris Smalling, 6 – Didn’t do enough to get the ball off Benteke in the lead-up to Palace’s goal. Christian Benteke collected the ball on the left and moved inside before squaring to Townsend, whose first-time shot from 19 yards out took a deflection off Victor Lindelof on its way into the top-right corner of the net.

“It was a fantastic comebacks but with mistakes”, Mourinho said.

Thinking about it Sanchez has compelely changed his game.

Andros Townsend put Roy Hodgson’s side ahead in the 11 minute before Patrick van Aanholt doubled their lead early in the second half. I don’t even want to blame my players and say the start was not good.

United’s response, however, was rapid and Smalling evaded the attentions of a statuesque Palace defence and planted a 55th-minute header past static stopper Wayne Hennessey from Antonio Valencia’s cross. Fifteen minutes from full-time, they finally found a way through.

With Liverpool hot on their tails, United had to win this game to regain their position in the premier league.

“I just tried to shoot and in this moment you don’t have time to think a lot so in my mind it was only to shoot and to score and I’m happy it went in”.

They, however, trail league leaders Manchester City by 16 points.

Mourinho had at half-time introduced Marcus Rashford for Scott McTominay and adopted a more attacking shape, and after Palace went 2-0 up it began to show.

So there is also something to admire in the spirit United showed.

Let’s look at how the game unfolded.

United were almost undone by more sloppy play when Matic conceded possession in midfield, but Palace striker Alexander Sorloth shot straight at De Gea.