Crystal Palace pulled off a significant upset by defeating Manchester United 2-0 at Old Trafford on February 2, 2025, marking yet another disappointment for the Red Devils on their home turf. The victory was sealed by Jean-Philippe Mateta, who scored both goals, the second of which came just moments before the final whistle.
The match, surprisingly lined with opportunities for both sides throughout the first half, remained scoreless until the 64th minute. A well-executed free-kick led to Mateta's first goal, tapping the ball home after it ricocheted off the crossbar. This set-piece situation perfectly exemplified Palace's tactical prowess, leaving United's defenders scrambling.
Despite starting brightly, United couldn't capitalize on their chances, illustrating their current struggles with finishing. A player who showed promise was Bruno Fernandes, who attempted to orchestrate plays from deep but was unable to penetrate Palace's solid defense.
United's issues continued to mount as Lisandro Martinez received treatment for what appeared to be a serious injury, leaving the pitch tears streaming down his face as he was carried off. His absence was palpable, conveying how thin the squad is feeling right now.
Palace's second goal echoed the first. Daniel Munoz took advantage of United's defensive frailties, turning and sprinting through the middle before setting up Mateta for his second goal of the day. The ease with which Palace reached the cordoned-off area was startling and illustrated just how vulnerable United appeared.
This defeat brought Manchester United’s tally to five losses out of the last six matches at home, leaving fans frustrated and questioning the robustness of manager Ruben Amorim's plans this season.
Reflecting on the performance, Amorim conceded, "We suffered two goals we can avoid...it's hard for the fans. We controlled the transitions quite well for Crystal Palace, but the outcomes were disheartening.” His remarks came against the backdrop of increasing scrutiny over his managerial choices.
On the opposing side, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner expressed his satisfaction post-match. “The second goal is everything we are always talking about, and I'm delighted with how it started,” he remarked. Notably, Glasner hailed Mateta's movements off the ball, emphasizing his effectiveness as both productive and strategic.
The match showcased stark contrasts between the two sides. Crystal Palace's compact 3-4-3 formation excelled both when defending and attacking, whereas Manchester United’s inconsistencies became clearer as the game progressed—they controlled much of the ball yet appeared impotent when it mattered most.
The disappointment surrounding Manchester United's current struggles at home remains at the forefront of fans’ frustrations, with the club currently positioned just above the relegation zone. The club has maneuvers to make within the transfer window this January. Amorim was grilled on whether reinforcements could improve the team's fortunes. “We need creativity and finishing; otherwise, our season may be deemed over,” he intoned.
Equally, this result has buoyed Crystal Palace, who have now moved to 12th place, establishing momentum as they look to build upon this impressive away victory. Mateta’s form, with six goals this season, places him joint top-scorer for 2025 alongside Chris Wood and Phil Foden.
Next, Manchester United face Leicester City at home before heading to Tottenham, seeking to remedy their dismal run. Conversely, Crystal Palace looks forward to their FA Cup tie against Doncaster Rovers, aiming to extend their unbeaten streak. Both teams seem to be steering their ships as the second half of the season approaches.
For fans of the Premier League, the narrative surrounding these clubs is just heating up, and come the end of the season, what happens next will be closely monitored!