All the talk before kick-off
at Selhurst Park on this evening match under lights was of Wayne Rooney’s 300,000
pound a week new contract and how he would choose to celebrate it. Before
kick-off the Champions were made to feel welcome by a mural display at the Holmesdale
Road End aimed to call for inspiration through togetherness right until the
end. Indeed Rooney was given an especially warm welcome by the Palace faithful
in the Holmesdale Road End at corners in the first half as bad blood was
evident between the two sets of supporters given the past history that existed
between them.
As the game got going in the
first half Palace started assuredly and quite steadily. Tom Ince in his second appearance
for the Club was eager to form an understanding with returning striker Glenn
Murray who showed no ill effect from his injury. Manchester United was
comfortable on the ball, and took control of the midfield using youngster Adnan
Januzaj as an outlet on the wing down the left to launch attacks through.
Palace defended resolutely as the understanding between Ward, Dann, and Delaney
across the back four grew although at least in this match against United Parr
was shown to be the weak link. Delaney headed off the line from a Rooney cross
shot and Vidic headed the rebound over the crossbar. Maroanne Fellaini should
have scored for United just before the break, scuffing a shot wide from close
range.
Throughout the match Palace
lacked a cutting edge as the midfield struggled to form an understanding with
the strikers as they had to such potent effect in the West Bromwich Albion
Victory. As a result Manchester United retained a lot of possession and was
able to hold onto the ball easily in midfield with sharp incisive short passes
across the pitch which neutralised a lot of Crystal Palace’s attacking intent.
On sixty two minutes Manchester United made their general dominance and control
of the play count, this despite of Crystal Palace’s sporadic attacking threat.
Maroanne Chemakh who was having a difficult evening made a clumsy challenge on
Patrice Evra in the penalty area to concede a spot kick. Robin Van Persie
scored the penalty to give United a 1 – 0 lead.
Palace substitute Cameron
Jerome replaced Glenn Murray who got an hours play under his belt in what was a
performance full of endeavour and quality upon his full return from injury.
Jerome tested De Gea with a low shot to nearly equalise minutes after coming
off the bench. Yet unfortunately straight after this United went down the field
and killed the game. Chemakh gave the ball away on the halfway line and United
broke at pace, the Palace midfield failed to pick up their players and Evra
crossed for Rooney to smash home a volley into the top corner of the net from twelve
yards. Manchester United had secured the victory by 2 – 0.
Despite another pulsating
Selhurst Park atmosphere which really is becoming the rebellious colourful
vanguard to the rest of the quieter more sedate polished and corporate Premier
League atmospheres, Palace did not have quite enough quality to match or defeat
Manchester United. Player for player though the effort and endeavour alongside
Pulis’s group organisation could not be faulted. Sadly though it was not enough
for a result and Palace was left to look back with pride on some good
individual performances and some solid units forming in midfield and defence
for the rest of a tough run in. Bolasie came on for Chemakh for the last
quarter of an hour as the Moroccan had a tough evening and did not have his
best game in a Palace shirt. Bolasie on the other hand used his pace to good
effect to test United down the flanks nearly creating a consolation goal for
Palace.
Given the hype and
anticipation around Selhurst Park in the build up to the visit of the Champions
it may come as some surprise that realistically in terms of Crystal Palace’s
survival hopes next Sunday’s match in Wales against Swansea City is I think
bigger in terms of its importance. Swansea are entrenched in the relegation
battle alongside Palace. They are likely to be tired and possibly disappointed
after their Europa League Second Leg Tie on Thursday in Italy against Napoli so
if Palace can take advantage of this to win some points, it could prove to be a
massive turning point in Crystal Palace’s battle for survival.
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