At Selhurst Park on Sunday: Manchester United produced a spirited second-half performance to defeat Crystal Palace 2–1.

By Ige Sunday

Goals from Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount sealed the win, lifting the Red Devils one point above Palace on the Premier League table.

United trailed at half-time after Jean-Philippe Mateta converted a retaken penalty in the 37th minute.

The hosts had been the brighter side early on, threatening repeatedly through Mateta, Yeremy Pino and Adam Wharton, while Dean Henderson produced a superb double save to keep the game level.

Palace eventually broke through when Wharton slipped a clever ball to Mateta, who was clipped by Leny Yoro in the box. Mateta’s first attempt was ruled out for striking his standing foot, but he converted the retake.

Rúben Amorim’s side, heavily criticised after their last league defeat to Everton, responded with renewed intensity after the halftime.

Zirkzee, who had not scored a Premier League goal in nearly a year, sparked the comeback in the 53rd minute with a stunning finish from a tight angle after a lofted free-kick found him under pressure.

Mount scored the winning goal nine minutes later, firing low into the corner from a well-rehearsed set piece in which Bruno Fernandes nudged the ball sideways to open up the angle.

Amorim praised his team’s reaction and improved “intensity” in the second half.

“If we work at a different pace, we can beat any team,” he said.

The victory lifts United above Palace and eases pressure ahead of their next fixtures after a weekend of high-scoring Premier League action that continues later today.