Jean-Philippe Mateta’s second-half brace secured a deserved 2-0 win for Crystal Palace against Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.
Palace proved to be the perfect away team, with Oliver Glasner’s well-organized 3-4-3 formation excelling in both defense and transition. Their aerial threat from set pieces, combined with United’s ongoing struggles in defending dead balls, made it a tough outing for the Red Devils.
The visitors broke the deadlock in the 64th minute through a familiar route. After a lively first half, where Palace had the better of the chances, Mateta found the net at the end of a well-executed free-kick routine.
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United’s efforts to respond were hampered by a lengthy stoppage for Lisandro Martinez, who had to be stretchered off, and they struggled to break down Palace. Mateta sealed the win with his second in the 89th minute. Daniel Munoz broke through United’s disorganized defense, sprinting into the box before squaring for Mateta to tap in, putting Palace in control.
This defeat marked United’s fifth loss in their last six Premier League matches at Old Trafford, much to the dismay of the home crowd. Meanwhile, Palace, unbeaten away from home in the league since October, leapfrogged United into 12th place in the table.
