Crystal Palace vs. Manchester United: Score, Grades, Reaction from EPL Fixture
Manchester United claimed their first win in four matches on Saturday after beating Crystal Palace 2-1 at Selhurst Park to get their season back on track.
Following three successive defeats, the Red Devils ended their worst patch of form under manager Louis van Gaal thanks to goals from Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini, as the club's official Twitter account noted:
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United entered the encounter positively enough, and having surrendered defeat to West Brom just last week, a brighter show of morale was required of Van Gaal's men.
Mata was at the heart of that probing, and it was only 19 minutes before Scott Dann found himself in the bad books of referee Michael Oliver for a handball inside the box.
There was some debate as to whether Dann was right to be held accountable for the supposed offence, but Mata wasn't asking any such questions as he helped his team into a 1-0 lead from 12 yards out.
Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News confirmed the Red Devils' "drought" coming to an end, a goalless streak that had spread back more than 300 Premier League minutes:
Julian Speroni was called into action on several occasions for the rest of the first half as United continued to chip away in the role of aggressor.
Coming out for the second period, the Eagles were the more threatening outfit, and a superbly curled Jason Puncheon free-kick from the left gave the hosts their much-needed equaliser.
David de Gea was well-beaten as an effort from the left side of his area fizzled over Daley Blind in the United wall and straight into his top-right corner.
Squawka recalled that despite enjoying a reputation as one of the Premier League's best, if not the best, goalkeepers this season, De Gea has been through a rough period of late:
It's in periods such as these where United had struggled on occasion this term, with Van Gaal's team perhaps lacking the same mental fortitude and grit always so evident with the lineups of predecessor Sir Alex Ferguson.
Fellaini rose in the 78th minute to latch on to an Ashley Young cross from the left and seemingly end Palace's hopes, however, and Rob Dawson of MEN didn't miss the irony of the manoeuvre:
The lack of ease with which United saw out the remaining minutes showed there is still work to be done in fine-tuning these kinds of displays, fixtures where Chelsea have thrived this season.
As a result, United are now back to within two points of Arsenal in third, despite having played a game more than their north London rivals and one more than Manchester City in second.
Van Gaal will merely cherish getting a win back on the board, though, restoring a seven-point gap over Liverpool and increasing his chances of securing a Champions League place.
Player Grades
Juan Mata: A-
The scorer of United's opener, Mata often looked like the sole bright spark in United's toolbox on Saturday, even if his conversion did come from the penalty spot.
The Spaniard has risen to become a more and more integral member of the Red Devils' forward-thinking movement, and Adam Crafton of the Daily Mail pointed out just how tall he sat alongside his team-mates for a time:
"Mata's been very good, to be fair. As for the rest of 'em….
— Adam Crafton (@AdamCrafton_) May 9, 2015"
Mile Jedinak: B
Aside from the one-on-one with Ashley Young that left him struggling for solid ground, Mile Jedinak proved against United that he can well duel with the big guns of the Premier League.
A head-to-head against the towering form of Fellaini never looked too enticing, but the Australian actually dealt impressively with a great deal of the aerial threat thrown in his sector.
Out of form though Manchester United may be, keeping the midfield composite of Daley Blind, Ander Herrera and Fellaini quiet was crucial to Palace's plans. Jedinak would have received more praise were it not for his part played in allowing Fellaini to score.
Post-Match Reaction
In their current vein of form, Crystal Palace always looked to be a difficult challenge for United, and Van Gaal was fully knowing of the fact the Eagles wouldn't swoop out of sight easily.
Following the win, the Red Devils chief made sure to praise his squad as a team, per the official Premier League Twitter account, noting the role injuries played in his selection:
In a match where Phil Jones had to fill in at left-back following Luke Shaw's injury and Wayne Rooney had to be withdrawn at the break, Van Gaal told BBC Sport United's journey to fourth is, however, incomplete:
"You never know, we still have to win one point I believe. We have made a very important step. We have worked so hard, the players showed the team spirit so goo. I am very proud. When you are fighting like this every week, we are difficult to beat.
David de Gea did it several times this season, I am vey happy he saved it because at the time it could have been 2-1 for Crystal Palace.
"
For Palace boss Alan Pardew, this was more of a match to rue, and Samuel Luckhurst of Manchester Evening News quoted the manager as feeling "aggrieved" by Dann's alleged handball:
Having picked up morale-boosting wins over Manchester City and Sunderland not so long ago, Pardew even thought his side could have enjoyed more fortune against United:
With a trip to Anfield next Saturday, matters don't get too much easier for Pardew, while United await Sunday's matchup between Chelsea and Liverpool with bated breath.
