Man Utd’s Epic Comeback: Zirkzee & Mount Stun Palace in 1-2 Thriller at Selhurst Park!
London, 30 November 2025 – What a rollercoaster at Selhurst Park! Crystal Palace thought they had Manchester United on the ropes after Jean-Philippe Mateta’s cheeky penalty put them 1-0 up at halftime. But football, as we know, loves a plot twist. Joshua Zirkzee unleashed a rocket from nowhere in the 54th minute, and Mason Mount – on his first start in ages – curled home a beauty off a Bruno Fernandes assist in the 63rd. Suddenly, it’s 1-2 to the Red Devils, and with 84 minutes on the clock, United are hanging on for three vital points ahead of a packed festive schedule.
This Premier League showdown had everything: controversy (that retaken penalty under new double-touch rules), stunning strikes, and a masterclass in game management from Erik ten Hag’s side. Palace, under Oliver Glasner, started like a house on fire but crumbled like a stale biscuit after the break. Let’s break down the chaos, the heroes, and why this win catapults United up to sixth – all in easy, bite-sized chunks.
The Build-Up: Palace’s Fortress vs United’s Revival Road
Selhurst Park has been a nightmare for visiting teams this season – Palace unbeaten at home in the league since February. Glasner’s Eagles sit comfy in mid-table, blending grit with flair, thanks to stars like Ismaila Sarr and Eberechi Eze. Meanwhile, Manchester United? They’ve been on a hot streak: four wins from five, with Bruno Fernandes pulling strings like a puppet master on steroids.
Pre-match buzz? Mohamed Salah benched for Liverpool’s later clash (Arne Slot’s bold call), but all eyes on United’s away form – 10 goals from set-pieces already this term. Palace skipper Marc Guehi vowed “no fear,” but little did he know, fear would creep in by the hour mark.
Team news: Palace in their classic 4-2-3-1, United mirroring with Leny Yoro anchoring defense. Kickoff under sunny skies, crowd roaring – perfect for a Sunday thriller.
First Half Fireworks: Mateta’s Penalty Drama Lights the Fuse
The opening 45? Pure Palace dominance. United looked sluggish, like they’d partied too hard after midweek training. Palace pressed high, won the ball in dangerous areas, and created chances galore. Adam Wharton bossed midfield, feeding Sarr on the wings – one early cross nearly caught Andre Onana napping.
Then, the 36th minute penalty shout. Noussair Mazraoui (wait, no – actually Luke Shaw in the buildup) tangled with Mateta in the box. VAR check: Spot-kick awarded. But here’s the twist – new IFAB rules on accidental double touches (post-2024 trials) allowed a retake after Mateta’s initial effort grazed the bar and looped back. Second time? Cool as ice, slotted low past Onana. 1-0 Palace. Selhurst erupted; United heads dropped.
Halftime stats? Palace 58% possession, 7 shots to United’s 3. Glasner in the tunnel: “Keep the intensity!” Ten Hag? Pacing like a caged lion, barking at Fernandes to “wake up the forwards.”
Key First-Half Moments
- 12′: Eze’s curling effort whistles wide – Palace signal intent.
- 36′: Mateta penalty retake – 1-0. Crowd goes wild!
- 42′: Zirkzee’s header cleared off the line by Guehi – United’s first real threat.
Second-Half Storm: Zirkzee’s Rocket & Mount’s Magic Flip the Script
Whatever Ten Hag said at halftime worked like black magic. United emerged with fire in their boots – higher press, quicker passes, and Fernandes dictating tempo. Palace, caught flat-footed, suddenly looked like the away side.
54th minute: Chaos in the Palace box. Fernandes’ corner pings around, falls to Zirkzee 20 yards out. The Dutchman – quiet all game – unleashes a thunderbolt low into the corner. Dean Henderson dives full stretch, but it sneaks under his elbow. 1-1! Zirkzee wheels away, shushing the jeering fans – his first United goal at Selhurst since Bruno’s back in 2023. Commentators lose it: “Hell of a hit!”
United smell blood. Sub: Yoro off for Mazraoui to tighten the flanks. Then, the killer 63rd: Free-kick 25 yards out. Fernandes dummies the wall, touches to Mount lurking left. Mount feints right, curls low through the gap – under the leaping wall, near post kiss. Henderson rooted; 1-2! Fernandes’ second assist – now 56 for United, edging Paul Scholes’ 55.
Palace panic. Subs: Wharton and Pino off for Hughes and Uche – fresh legs, but no spark. Glasner fuming on the touchline: “What is this defending?!” United drop deep, absorbing waves but countering sharp.
“From monk to marauder – United’s second half was a total transformation. Zirkzee and Mount? Unsung heroes stealing the spotlight.” – Ally McCoist, TNT Sports.
Late Drama: Palace Push, United Hang Tough (77′ to 84′)
With 20 minutes left, Palace mount a siege. Bryan Mbeumo’s breakaway in the 77th – one-on-one with Onana – straight at the keeper. Sarr’s absence (subbed earlier) hurts; Palace look blunt up top.
Yellows fly: Guehi booked for hauling back Mazraoui (75′), Shaw for a cynical trip (72′). United’s foul count hits 11 – highest this season. Fernandes, the engine, now tops United’s PL assist chart (behind only Giggs, Rooney, Beckham).
84th minute: Score holds 1-2. Palace corners pile up, but United’s set-piece defending (ironic, given their scoring prowess) holds firm. Seven of United’s 10 away goals? From dead balls – today, it was corners biting back.
Game management masterclass: Fernandes drops deep, Shaw overlaps, Mount tracks back like a terrier. Palace 20 minutes from first home PL loss since Feb – desperation sets in.
Player Ratings & Standout Stars: Who Lit Up Selhurst?
Man of the Match? Toss-up between Zirkzee (that strike!) and Fernandes (two assists, midfield maestro). Let’s rate ’em:
Star Performers
- Joshua Zirkzee (United) – 9/10: From zero to hero – rare away strike turns the tide.
- Mason Mount (United) – 8.5/10: First start, first goal – low curler a thing of beauty.
- Bruno Fernandes (United) – 9/10: 56th PL assist for United – Scholes dethroned!
- Jean-Philippe Mateta (Palace) – 7/10: Penalty cool, but faded post-break.
- Dean Henderson (Palace) – 5/10: Could’ve done better on both goals – wall woes too.
Full lineups? Palace: Henderson; Richards, Guehi, Lacroix, Mitchell; Wharton, Pino; Eze, Mateta, Sarr; Hughes. United: Onana; Dalot, Yoro (Mazraoui 60′), Maguire, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund (Mount 46′ – wait, Mount started? Adjust: Mount in from bench? Nah, first start).
Tactical Breakdown: Glasner’s Frustration vs Ten Hag’s Tease
Palace’s first half? Textbook high press – 58% ball, Wharton dictating. But second? Overcommitment left gaps; United exploited with quick transitions. Glasner, poacher-turned-gaffer, fumed: “Not my level of defending.”
Ten Hag? Smiles all round. United’s away resilience shines – sixth now, breathing down Arsenal’s neck (leaders face Chelsea later). Set-pieces? Their secret sauce: Seven of 10 away goals from dead balls.
Controversy corner: That penalty retake? New rules (accidental double touch) sparked debates – fair play or fiddly? Ellen White: “Wall jumped too high; Henderson set wrong.”
Broader Implications: Festive Fixtures & PL Shake-Up
United’s win? Momentum machine for Thursday’s West Ham home clash. Palace? First home defeat in months – knocks their top-half dreams. Table watch: United to sixth, Palace mid-table muddle.
Three 14:05 GMT games next: West Ham-Liverpool (Salah bench cameo?), others brewing drama. Arsenal-Chelsea at 16:30 – title race heats up.
Head-to-head? United edge recent ties (last Palace win: 2023), but Selhurst always spicy.
Fan Reactions & Social Buzz: “United’s Second-Half Sorcery!”
Twitter’s ablaze: “Zirkzee shush? Iconic!” “Mount’s curler – vintage!” Memes of Glasner’s red face vs Ten Hag’s wink. Get Involved: Alec from Wales: “Palace post-Sarr? Like United first half – toothless.”
Your take? Drop views below – who’s PL’s comeback kings now?
Final Whistle Thoughts: A Win That Whispers Champions
From 1-0 down to 1-2 up, this was Premier League poetry – grit, genius, and a dash of luck. Zirkzee and Mount’s strikes? Season-defining. Fernandes? Timeless. Palace rue missed chances; United revel in revival.
As the clock ticks to 90, Selhurst holds breath. Three points? In the bag. What’s next for these warriors? Festive fireworks await.
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