ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE THEATRE OF SCREAMS
Zaha back to haunt United as VAR storm leaves Ole gutted
United old boy Zaha came back to haunt them with a deadly double – the first from a disputed, re-taken penalty.
It was awarded after a video review when Jordan Ayew’s shot hit Victor Lindelof ’s hand from point-blank range.
Ayew took the spot-kick but David de Gea plunged to his right to save it – only for VAR to rule the United keeper had been fractionally off his line.
This time Zaha stepped up to sweep his 75th-minute shot high past the Spaniard.
That doubled Palace’s lead after Andros Townsend’s early opener and Zaha sealed their second straight Old Trafford win after Donny van de Beek had given United false hope.
Townsend admitted it all went to plan for Palace, who opened their league campaign with a win over Southampton last weekend, but insisted they could have won by more.
He said: “We knew they didn’t play last week and that we had the mental advantage.
“We knew we had come here last season and won and took heart from that.
“If anything we could have won it by more. We had some chances and it could have been a more handsome result but we will take that all day.”
Palace hurried and harried United out of their stride from kick-off and hit the front after just seven minutes.
Tyrick Mitchell ’s clipped pass down the left found Jeffrey Schlupp and his low cross was knocked home by Townsend at the back post.
Paul Pogba forced a save from Vicente Guaita as United looked to hit back, with Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes trying their luck.
United were struggling to create any chances and only a fine reaction save by De Gea to deny Ayew prevented them going in further behind.
The second half continued in the same vein, with United huffing and puffing and Palace threatening to pick them off on the break.
Zaha thought he had scored just after the hour but had strayed offside.
He wasn’t to be denied, though, and after Ayew missed from the spot, he stepped up to show him how it was done.
Van de Beek looked to have given his side a chance but Zaha killed them off f ive minutes from time when he turned Lindelof inside the box before firing low past De Gea.
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer warned his side they need to up their game.
He said: “We should look at ourselves in the mirror.
“Everyone knows we can perform better than this.”