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Marouane Fellaini's brace and a goal apiece from Juan Mata and Romelu Lukaku helped Manchester United go three points clear at the top of the Premier League. Recording their sixth win of the current campaign, Jose Mourinho's side continued their impressive start to the season, which is now their joint-best in Premier League history after seven matches.
They are currently averaging three goals per game and have conceded just two. Unfortunately for Crystal Palace, who continue to occupy the bottom of the table, they could add to their goals column as Roy Hodgson was left waiting for his first point of the season for at least another week.
Here are the major talking points from the game:
#5. Fellaini continues to repay Mourinho's faith
When news of the severity of Paul Pogba's injury came out, many United fans would have been fretting over the team's form. Considering the incredible start that the Frenchman enjoyed, United would have expected to miss him a lot more than they have. One of the reasons that they haven't has been the performance of Marouane Fellaini.
The Belgian has often been the centre of many fans' ire but the manager continues to have immense faith in the midfielder and after his brace against Palace, he continues to impress and repay the faith. Playing alongside Matic in central midfield, he was afforded the freedom to play to his strengths.
Whether it was linking up the play near the attacking third or just being the link between the defence and the wide players, Fellaini impressed. But the biggest plus-point was his positivity in the opposing penalty area that led to two goals and him seemingly filling Pogba's boots with consummate ease.
#4. Working the wings to perfection
One of the biggest problems that Mourinho had last season was the side's inability to convert possession into goals. So far this season, averaging three goals per game in the Premier League, they haven't had that problem and the main reason for that has been the combinations with the side that have worked out so well for them, especially on the flanks.
On the left flank, both Rashford and Young had the ability to go outside or cut in and shoot on their preferred foot. They provided width and have seemingly developed an almost telepathic understanding that meant that there was always an outlet on the flanks. Whether that was for a through ball down the line or to stretch play and provide crosses into the box.
On the other side, captain Antonio Valencia was basically a one-man wrecking crew that spread havoc amidst the Palace defence with his probing runs and incisive passing on the flank.
#3. Palace still searching for some light
It has been far from the ideal start for Crystal Palace so far. No team has conceded more goals than them this season and they are the only side without a point in the current campaign. They are also only the second side in Premier League history to have lost their opening seven games.
While they performed much better than they have in most matches this season, they were still completely outplayed by United.
Far too often, their defence was cut open with just a few touches. The alarming regularity with which their goalkeeper was tested wouldn't have been something that the manager would be too happy about. Roy Hodgson would also not be pleased with the fact that they only emerged as an attacking force late into the game when the horse had already bolted.
Seven games in, Palace are still to gain a point. Back-to-back defeats at the hands of the two Manchester clubs, conceding nine goals in the process isn't great form. Especially when they are up against a resurgent Chelsea in their next Premier League encounter.
#2. Rashford continues to be a revelation
Although Marcus Rashford is still a teenager, he has already seen his fair share of ups and downs in his career. After a dream start, his alarming dip last season was seen as a sign of things to come by some. But his performances so far this season have served as a reminder of just how talented the 19-year-old striker truly is.
Playing down the left flank, Rashford showcased incredible skill, speed, and composure and had the beating of both the defender and anyone else who came across as cover on the left flank. The ease with which he dropped his shoulder and left the defender for dead in the build-up to the first goal just highlighted the confidence that he has.
A constant threat with the pace and the ability to run behind the defence, Rashford was a thorn that kept poking away at the Palace defence. He registered two assists for the first time in a match for United and will be hoping to carry forward his good form and prove Jermaine Defoe (who earlier said that he could be as good as Aguero) right.
#1. Seventh heaven for Lukaku
Ever since making his big-money move to Manchester United, Lukaku has had a dream start to his career. He has been scoring goals for fun, creating an outlet for the ball out from the back and with his back to goal and proven to be a great source for little triangles at the edge of the box.
After the game against Crystal Palace, he claimed another record as no Manchester United player has scored more goals in their first seven Premier League leagues matches than the Belgian striker's seven. He went level with Andrew Cole and while his tap-in towards the end of the game was nothing to write home about, it meant that he continued his streak of scoring goals and that will certainly be something that pleases his manager.
His fast start has also meant that the burden of a big-money move has not weighed him down at all.
