Two second-half goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta gave Crystal Palace victory at Manchester United for a second successive season and condemned Ruben Amorim’s side to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League home games.
Forward Mateta turned in the rebound to open the scoring in the 64th minute after Maxence Lacroix’s header hit the crossbar from substitute Eberechi Eze’s free-kick.
The Frenchman then tapped in Daniel Munoz’s pass a minute from time to score his 23rd goal in 37 games under manager Oliver Glasner, compounding United’s misery after defender Lisandro Martinez was stretchered off while holding his knee.
Kobbie Mainoo – deployed as a forward, with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee on the bench – went closest for United, bobbling a shot against a post after eight minutes.
Jean-Philippe Mateta owns Old Trafford.#CPFC // #MUNCRY https://t.co/JgaLGq8I36 pic.twitter.com/jJDrhHVjvo
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 2, 2025
Man United vs Palace: Mateta goals as Eagles soar
Palace moved a point above United to 12th with another impressive performance, but the result may not have been a surprise to their players as they celebrated exuberantly with the away supporters after the full-time whistle.
They have now gone more than six-and-a-half hours without conceding against United, who had lost their previous home league game 3-1 to Brighton & Hove Albion.
A run of three consecutive wins, beating Rangers at home before defeating Fulham and Romanian side FCSB on the road, had given Amorim hope of a sustained run of good form, but their dreadful home record since the Portuguese’s arrival in November continued apace with their 11th league loss of 2024/25.
Newcastle and Bournemouth have also won by more than one goal at United since December 22, while Nottingham Forest were two goals ahead in their confident 3-2 victory there on December 7.
In focus: @AGarnacho7 📸#MUFC || #MUNCRY
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 2, 2025
Eze return inspires Palace
Amorim made six changes from United’s 2-0 Europa League win in Bucharest on Thursday but it was a name on Palace’s bench that was perhaps more surprising and had a more telling impact.
Eze has struggled to shake off pain since collecting a knock at Arsenal in the EFL Cup on December 18, and Glasner said in his pre-match press conference that the England international would be rested to help him return to full fitness.
The playmaker came off the bench and sent in the cross that allowed Palace to make the breakthrough as they went a ninth game unbeaten on their travels in the league.
United are next in action when they host third-bottom Leicester City in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday (8pm GMT). Palace host fourth-tier Doncaster Rovers three days later (7.45pm).