
Crystal Palace Stuns Manchester United with Mateta Brace at Old Trafford
The atmosphere at Old Trafford was tense as Manchester United hosted Crystal Palace in a Premier League clash on February 2, 2025. For United, this game marked another opportunity to get their season back on track after a series of disappointing performances. However, it wasn’t to be, as they succumbed to a 0-2 defeat, with Jean-Philippe Mateta scoring a brace to hand Palace a significant victory.
From the first whistle, United struggled to find their rhythm. Despite their dominance in possession, the home side was unable to break down Crystal Palace’s resolute defense. As the game wore on, it became evident that the visitors were well-organized and clinical when they needed to be. After a scoreless first half, Palace came to life in the second, with Mateta opening the scoring in the 64th minute. The goal came from a set-piece, as United’s defense failed to clear a header from a lofted free-kick. Mateta, ever the poacher, was in the right place at the right time to slot the ball home and give Palace the lead.
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The United faithful were hoping for a quick response, but their team struggled to create clear-cut chances. Bruno Fernandes tried to rally the troops, but Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson was equal to everything that came his way. United’s lack of attacking spark was glaring, and things took a turn for the worse in the 89th minute when Mateta completed his brace, securing all three points for the visitors. A fast break saw Jordan Ayew release a perfect cross into the box, and Mateta, showing his deadly instincts, finished calmly past United’s keeper.
As the match ticked into injury time, Manchester United's frustrations mounted. They threw everything forward but couldn’t break through Palace’s defense. In contrast, Crystal Palace’s defense stood firm, leaving Old Trafford in a state of shock. This defeat further adds to United's growing woes, with manager Ruben Amorim facing questions about his squad’s ability to challenge for top honors this season.
The loss means United remains stuck in mid-table, and their hopes for Champions League football next season seem increasingly remote. Meanwhile, Palace can celebrate a deserved victory as they leapfrog United in the standings. Mateta’s form will undoubtedly be a major talking point, as his five goals in the last five games have been a major driving force behind Palace's rise.
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