The Match: Reds Raid Palace

After our match report, we assess the finer details of the 2-0 win at Selhurst Park...

The match While United dominated the first half but had nothing to show for it, Palace asserted themselves in the early part of the second – only for their hard work to be completely undone by Marouane Chamakh’s clumsy challenge on Patrice Evra. The resulting goal from the penalty spot changed the momentum of the match, and although the hosts tested David De Gea a couple of times, Wayne Rooney’s brilliantly executed volley clipped the Eagles’ wings for good. Prior to the penalty, United just lacked a bit of a cutting edge given all the possession they had, which would have become more of a worry had Chamakh’s error not stifled Palace’s growing confidence. United ruthlessly exploited the mistake to full effect.

The goals After some high-profile penalty misses in north London in the Champions League on Wednesday, Robin van Persie showed how it should be done south of the river Thames by sending Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni the wrong way to clinically despatch the ball into the bottom right-hand corner. Rooney’s volley was a masterclass of its own as well, with technique, balance and power giving the home side’s stopper absolutely no chance.

Star men Just 24 hours after his new contract was announced, Rooney demonstrated exactly why he will be so important to the club in the years to come. His dominant, forceful performance set the tempo for the Reds from the off, but van Persie seized the moment when it came to turn the game decisively in his side’s favour. Patrice Evra will rarely hit the headlines like Wayne or Robin, but the Frenchman had a hand in both goals, and in defence he dealt with Palace’s threat in typically effective fashion.

Sub-plot The match saw Rooney, van Persie, Juan Mata and Adnan Januzaj start a match together for the first time. What kind of formation would utilise this attacking quartet was an intriguing question, one that was answered by Januzaj sticking to the left flank, while Mata had the freedom to roam across the pitch. Chris Smalling had the licence to make several forays down the wing from right-back but did not deliver the telling final ball, while Marouane Fellaini played further forward than he had done before his two-month absence.

The opposition Sides managed by Tony Pulis are traditionally disciplined, well-organised and energetic, and Palace were no exception to that rule. Soaking up United’s pressure to frustrate was the plan, but Tom Ince was a threat when the home side did get onto the front foot. Van Persie’s penalty prompted a spirited response, but there was no answer to the crushing blow of the second goal.

Move of the match In the first half a lengthy spell of possession ended with van Persie flipping the ball over to Januzaj, who smartly despatched the ball past Speroni – but the goal was chalked off after the ball appeared to be controlled by his arm, with no complaints at all from United.

In the stands The Reds fans who made the lengthy journey to the outskirts of south London gave their side typically vocal backing, while some of the home supporters gave Rooney a hard time at a couple of corners in the first half.