Crystal Palace thrash Manchester United at Selhurst Park by 4 goals to nil, as European ambition hits the snag.
Manchester United’s rise and fall rollercoaster continues on Monday night as they lost by a landslide of 4 goals to nil in London to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Crystal Palace achieved a historic feat by securing their first-ever Premier League double against Manchester United in spectacular fashion.
Michael Olise’s exceptional performance inspired Palace to a stunning 4-0 victory over the Red Devils, marking their third consecutive win at Selhurst Park.
From the outset, a weakened United defense struggled against Palace’s relentless attacks, particularly against the skillful Olise. In just 12 minutes, Olise showcased his prowess by outmaneuvering Christian Eriksen and Casemiro to slot home his eighth goal of the season with precision.
Undeterred, Olise continued to press forward, narrowly missing a second goal due to an accidental block by teammate Jean-Philippe Mateta and a subsequent save by André Onana in a one-on-one duel.
United’s attempts to mount a comeback were feeble, with Rasmus Højlund’s disallowed header adding to their frustrations.
The lack of impact from key players like Højlund and Antony mirrored United’s overall struggle throughout the first half, culminating in Mateta’s impressive solo effort just before halftime, extending Palace’s lead.
Palace’s attacking prowess continued in the second half, with Mitchell and Hughes testing Onana, eventually leading to Mitchell finding the net after a well-delivered cross from Wharton.
The possibility of replicating their historic 5-0 victory over United from 1972 loomed as Olise secured his brace with a powerful strike, bringing the score to 4-0.
United failed to mount a meaningful response in the final stages, allowing Palace to coast to victory.
The match highlighted United’s dismal season, marked by their heaviest defeat and 13th loss in the Premier League, their worst record in 35 years.
Despite this, United can look forward to the Manchester Derby FA Cup final, while Palace fans are optimistic about the future under their rejuvenated manager, Oliver Glasner, who has breathed new life into the team.