CRYSTAL Palace were downed by Premier League champions Manchester United this evening, thanks quick goals in succession from Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney.
It was a brave performance from the Eagles, who caused United trouble in SE25, but they were undone thanks to a penalty and then a ferocious volley from the England striker following his new £300,000-a-week contract.
Glenn Murray started the match much to everyone's surprise, but it was a good run-out for the 30-year-old in his comeback from a long-term injury.
It was a bright start for Palace but it was United who had the first couple of chances after several minutes.
The first fell to Robin Van Persie inside the box with a bicycle kick but he completely missed the ball, and then a minute later he teed up Adnan Januzaj on the edge of the box, who fired wide.
Januzaj thought he had given the visitors the lead when he fired past Julian Speroni inside the box, but he handled Van Persie's pass before shooting.
United were enjoying all the possession as the Eagles looked to up their game, while Marouane Chamakh helped out in defence to head clear a dangerous corner from Juan Mata.
David Moyes' men were close to taking the lead when Wayne Rooney's delivery towards the back post was headed off the line from Damien Delaney, and from the follow-up, Nemanja Vidic headed narrowly over.
At the other end, however, David De Gea had to be at his best to deny Palace a chance at his near post, and from the corner, it looked like Chamakh had been caught late but referee Michael Oliver didn't give anything.
Tom Ince and Jason Puncheon switched flanks in a bid to freshen Palace's attack, and the former delivered a couple of tasty ball in from the left only for De Gea to claim.
Rooney gave Speroni something to do shortly before break, finding space 20 yards out and curling towards goal, only for the custodian to get his body behind it.
But United should have been 1-0 up before the break thanks to Marouane Fellaini.
The ball fell to Van Persie in the box and he squared across to the Belgian, who had time to pick his spot 12 yards out, but he fired narrowly over.
Into the second half and it was Palace who began the better. From a Joel Ward corner, De Gea punched the ball over his own bar as it curled towards goal, and then Ince angled a volley over from the right side of the box.
Puncheon sent a tame effort towards goal which De Gea got down to comfortably, while at the other end Van Persie found space but his high boot caught Delaney and a free-kick as given.
Murray had his first sniff at goal when a free-kick was angled into him, and he sent a first-time volley towards goal only for De Gea to claim.
However, it was United who took the lead thanks to a Van Persie penalty.
Chamakh clipped Patrice Evra right on the line of the penalty area but referee Oliver had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
And the Dutchman sent Speroni the wrong way to give the visitors the lead slightly against the run of play.
Cameron Jerome replaced Murray, and the big man nearly equalised with his first touch, sending a fantastic curling effort towards the bottom corner, only for Dea Gea to pull off a stunning save.
But then one became two as United doubled their lead. Evra went down the left and cut the ball back to Rooney, who set himself before sending a powerful volley past Speroni into the top corner.
Boss Tony Pulis then sent on Yannick Bolasie for Chamakh and moved Ince in behind Jerome.
And Bolasie tested Dea Gea with a low shot shortly after coming on, only for the stopper to get down low.
Dwight Gayle came on with five minutes remaining for Ince and partnered Jerome up front, but United were in cruise control.
And despite a late chance for Scott Dann at the far post with a header, Moyes' side managed to see the game out in added-on time.
Next up for the Eagles is an away trip to Swansea City next Sunday.
Palace: Speroni, Ward, Dann, Delaney, Parr, Puncheon, Jedinak, Ledley, Ince (Gayle 85), Chamakh (Bolasie 74), Murray (Jerome 66).
Subs Not Used: Hennessey, Gabbidon, Dikgacoi, Bannan.
Referee: Michael Oliver
Report by Croydon Advertiser Sports Reporter Mark Ritson
