Crystal Palace delivered a stunning performance, securing their first league double over Manchester United with a resounding 4-0 triumph at Selhurst Park. The match saw Michael Olise make a remarkable 20-yard run, evading any challenge, to confidently slot the ball past Andre Onana, giving Oliver Glasner’s side the lead after just 13 minutes. Jean-Philippe Mateta continued the onslaught by surging past Johnny Evans and emphatically netting his sixth consecutive home goal.
Tyrick Mitchell extended Palace’s lead further by tapping in from close range following a precise cross by Adam Wharton in the 58th minute. French talent Olise capitalized on a mistake by Casemiro to powerfully strike the ball past an unprepared Onana, cementing Palace’s dominance on the field. From the outset, Glasner’s men displayed unwavering determination, contrasting starkly with a lackluster United side that failed to rise to the occasion at Selhurst Park.
United’s defensive woes were glaringly evident as they endured one of their poorest performances of the season, with Casemiro and Evans forming their 14th center-back partnership of the campaign. Palace’s dynamic duo of Eberechi Eze and Olise enjoyed free rein over the pitch, dictating play and continuously troubling the United defense. Despite a few fleeting moments of threat from Ten Hag’s side, including two disallowed goals by Casemiro, United struggled to assert themselves throughout the match.
With Arsenal looming as their next opponent, United faces the urgent task of significantly improving their performance to avoid another humiliating defeat. The resounding victory by Crystal Palace underscores the need for United to regroup and address their shortcomings swiftly to remain competitive in the title race.
