5 key stats from Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Crystal Palace

Manchester United climbed back over Liverpool in the points table after a hard-fought 3-2 win over Crystal Palace on Monday.

The Red Devils made a slow start to the game and needed a late resurgence to overturn the scoreline after Roy Hodgson’s side had taken a two-goal lead inside the first 50 minutes.

Andros Townsend opened the scoring for Crystal Palace with a sublime effort which ricocheted off Victor Lindelof before flying past the hapless David de Gea. The Eagles doubled their lead right after the second half, with Patrick van Aanholt collecting Jeffrey Schlupp’s quick pass from a free-kick to score.

However, Man United came back into the game strongly as goals from Chris Smalling and Romelu Lukaku levelled matters and a late Nemanja Matic strike earned them a 3-2 win.

Here are five key stats from the game.

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#5 Matic scores first Manchester United goal

Nemanja Matic is not noted for scoring goals, however, the midfielder opened his account for Manchester United with a thumping shot that ensured the Red Devils won 3-2 over Crystal Palace.

At 2-2, the former Chelsea anchorman controlled a loose ball at the edge of the box before firing a fierce shot to hand Jose Mourinho’s side a hard-fought win at Selhurst Park.

The goal was actually Matic’s first for Man United since joining the club last summer.

#4 Two-goal comeback was Man United’s first since 2013

Lukaku scoring the leveller

Manchester United’s dramatic comeback from 2-0 down to win 3-2 against Crystal Palace was actually the club’s first since 2013. The Red Devils put up a fine shift in the last 30 minutes of the game to break the hearts of their opponents.

The last time Man United came back from two goals down to win a Premier League game was in December 2013 when they beat Hull City.

#3 Mourinho in personal first

In the end, Mourinho was pleased his side managed the comeback

Prior to Monday Jose Mourinho had never won a Premier League game where his side had fallen two goals down.

The Portuguese had managed 21 games during his stints with Chelsea and Man United in the English top flight where his side has fallen two goals behind but he never managed a win in any of those games.

Out of the 21 games, only a couple ended in draws and the rest 19 games ended in defeats.

However, Monday’s 3-2 comeback win over Crystal Palace represented the first time a Mourinho side had come back from a two-goal deficit to win a Premier League game.

#2 Crystal Palace led Man United for the first time in a Premier League game

Andros Townsend celebrates his goal

Manchester United were given an early scare when Andros Townsend gave Crystal Palace an 11th-minute lead at Selhurst Park. Although the Red Devils ended up as the winning side, that goal meant it was the first time Crystal Palace had led Manchester United in a Premier League game.

Both clubs have met 18 times since 1991 but never had Palace managed to take the lead in this fixture either home or away.

The last time the Eagles beat Man United in a league game was in May 1991 – a 3-0 win.

#1 Man United draw level with City on goal record

Matic in all his glory

Nemanja Matic’s stunning finish turned out to be the difference. With the goal, Manchester United equalled rivals Manchester City for the number of goals scored from the outside of the penalty area in the Premier League this season.

Both Manchester clubs now have 11 goals apiece that were scored from outside the penalty box.