Michael Olise stole the show with a stunning brace, further elevating Palace’s triumph and exacerbating the mounting pressure on United’s manager, Erik ten Hag.
The encounter witnessed a makeshift United defense, with the inclusion of Casemiro at center-back, which proved vulnerable to Palace’s relentless attacks. Jean-Philippe Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell joined Olise on the scoresheet, reflecting Palace’s dominance throughout the game.
Despite several injury setbacks and the absence of key player Bruno Fernandes, United’s performance fell far below expectations, causing concern among the club’s stakeholders. This defeat marked a significant milestone for United, registering their 13th loss of the season, a first in the Premier League era.
Palace, under the guidance of new manager Oliver Glasner, showcased their newfound form, contrasting sharply with United’s struggles. The opening goal, scored by Olise, epitomized United’s defensive frailties, as the midfielder exploited a lackluster challenge from Casemiro to find the back of the net.
Although United briefly thought they had equalized through Casemiro’s header, it was disallowed due to a foul on Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson. Mateta doubled Palace’s lead before halftime, capitalizing on defensive lapses from United to extend their advantage.
United’s defensive woes persisted as Mitchell capitalized on a defensive error from Diogo Dalot to further extend Palace’s lead. Olise’s second goal compounded United’s misery, highlighting the visitors’ inability to contain Palace’s attacking prowess.
Despite a late scare from Odsonne Edouard hitting the woodwork, Palace emerged victorious, while United’s hopes for European football next season continued to dwindle amidst their turbulent season.
