Whatever else he would do, Wilfried Zaha made history when he kicked-off against Manchester United today, captaining his boyhood club for the first time competitively since his debut over 10 years ago.
With the armband gripping his sleeve for the first time, the Ivorian was perfectly placed to not only make history against his former club, but to do so in style - embodying the grit and resolve of a Palace side determined to maintain their success playing David away to English football’s largest Goliaths.
Summary
- Roy Hodgson makes one change to the Southampton XI, bringing Mamadou Sakho in for Scott Dann
- Andros Townsend opens the scoring just seven minutes in
- Palace are on top for the game’s first half an hour
- United establish themselves going forward, but are unable to beat Palace’s backline
- Jordan Ayew and Wilfried Zaha trouble United late into the first-half, but the scoreline remains unchanged
- Half-time: Manchester United 0-1 Crystal Palace
- The game is more equal as the second-half starts
- Zaha's goal is ruled out for offside
- Ayew's penalty is saved, but Zaha scores as the referee orders a re-take
- United pull one back through Donny van de Beek
- Zaha ensures a Palace victory by slamming home their third
- Full-time: Manchester United 1-3 Crystal Palace
After making three fouls in the game’s opening minute, Manchester United outlined their understanding of the Eagles’ attacking threat - and their concern was vindicated just moments later.