Manchester United Stage a Comeback to Beat Crystal Palace

By Francis Onyach - Reporter

UK, 30 November 2025 - Manchester United staged a thrilling second-half turnaround to beat Crystal Palace 2–1 away, moving up to sixth place in the league standings.

Despite going behind to a first-half penalty from Jean-Philippe Mateta, the Red Devils responded through set-piece goals by Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount after the break, showcasing resilience and tactical sharpness under pressure, something they have missed in recent matches.

The hosts came out strong and controlled much of the first half. Crystal Palace’s pressure earned them a penalty when Leny Yoro clipped Mateta inside the box.

Mateta’s initial spot-kick was successful, but after a double-touch was spotted by VAR, under the new rule allowing retakes for accidental double touches, he stepped up again and coolly converted the retake in the 36th minute to put Palace ahead.

At half-time, the scoreboard read 1–0 to Palace, but United looked disjointed, unable to muster clear chances despite some pressure.

United emerged after the break with renewed intensity and purpose. In the 54th minute, from a quick free-kick delivered by captain Bruno Fernandes, Zirkzee chested the ball down and swivelled before firing a low shot into the far corner, his first Premier League goal in almost a year to bring United back on level terms.

Just nine minutes later, Mount struck. Fernandes lofted a set-piece free-kick to the edge of the box; Mount curled a powerful shot under a Palace wall and into the bottom corner, sending the travelling fans into raptures. That goal, United’s second from a dead-ball situation, completed the turnaround.

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After that, Palace pushed for a response but United held firm, showing discipline and calm under pressure to see out a valuable away win.

What the Players and Observers Said

On Zirkzee’s equaliser and overall fightback: “Finally got my chance and I took it — this is the kind of moment you dream of. The team kept believing,” Zirkzee said post-match.
On United’s second-half shift: Their resurgence came after the interval, with pressing, better positioning and sharper set-piece routines, attributes their team captain Fernandes highlighted as key.
On the importance of the win: For United’s manager, the result stops a mini-slump and injects momentum into their push for European qualification, especially as United leapfrogged Palace into sixth place.

The win ended Palace’s long unbeaten home run in the Premier League, handing them their first home league defeat since February.

or United, it was more than just three points: the comeback reflected growing mental resilience and the ability to capitalise on set-pieces and mistakes. That could matter as the season progresses.

The match also underscored a bigger tactical point: dead-ball situations and quick free-kicks are once again proving decisive, a strength United seemed to have rediscovered today.