Matic caps dramatic comeback
Nemanja matic’s injury-time screamer sealed manchester United’s secondhalf fightback as Crystal Palace blew a golden opportunity to move out of the relegation zone last night.
Roy Hodgson’s side, who have never beaten United in the Premier League, led 2-0 after andros Townsend’s shot took a wicked deflection off Victor Lindelof before Patrick van aanholt doubled the home side’s advantage with a stunning strike just after the break.
Chris Smalling’s header gave the visitors hope, however, before Romelu Lukaku levelled matters with 14 minutes left.
matic then sealed United’s comeback and all three points with a scorching half volley from 25 yards — his first goal for United.
Two-nil down, 3-2 up. United fans had forgotten days like this existed, it had been so long since they came from behind when losing at halftime. They used to be famous for it. Lately they’ve become infamous for meek surrenders. The title is gone, but this may be a watershed victory under jose mourinho.
‘There were a few strong words at half time relating to their attitude and the intensity of the game,’ revealed mourinho aferwards. ‘But there was tactical information and we changed things.
‘Their second goal made things much more difficult for us but Chris Smalling’s goal was very important. I always believe we can win. Some days more than others but after Smalling’s goal I always thought it was possible.
‘We want to finish second but it is huge pressure for us to finish in the top four. now we have a little pillow.’
The matic shot was a thunderbolt, but what went before was sloppy from Palace, two goals illustrating why they are in such a parlous position, undoing long spells of admirable resilience with lapses of concentration.
Smalling took full advantage of a sleepy james Tomkins, who stayed deep and played the defender, and Paul Pogba, onside. antonio Valencia crossed and Smalling got there first, steering the simplest header past Wayne Hennessey.
Time seemed to stand still for the equaliser, too, after an alexis Sanchez shot ricocheted off Tomkins. It fell to Lukaku who had an age to turn and beat Hennessey with a low shot, Palace sluggish in their reaction.
moments later David De Gea pulled off one of the saves of the season to keep out a Christian Benteke header.
So what went wrong for United in the first half? Pogba struggled to get his radar right, Sanchez wasn’t far behind him.
The introduction of marcus Rashford for Scott Mctominay at half-time, and mourinho’s return to the dugout several minutes before his team re-entered the pitch, was perhaps evidence of the manager’s dissatisfaction with their display.
Mctominay’s last meaningful act had been a terribly timed tackle on van aanholt that earned a yellow card. mourinho has been very supportive but maybe on this occasion he had seen enough.
Palace’s first goal after 11 minutes had a large element of good fortune.
Benteke held the ball up and led Smalling a merry dance along the edge of the penalty area, before releasing a square pass to Townsend. He pulled the trigger and the ball struck Lindelof on the back, sending it into the top corner.
It was not until the second half Palace threatened again, goal no 2 showing the difference in alertness between the teams.
Jerffrey Schlupp took a quick free kick, slipping the ball through to van aanholt who beat De Gea.
mourinho cursed furiously from the touchline. His players at least took notice, with matic sealing the fightback in spectacular style.
‘It is a wonder goal, of course, but harsh when it comes against you,’ lamented Hodgson.