Manchester United Are Comeback Kings Again

It's been a while for the Red Devils.

A side that used to be known for roaring outta the hills in the late going to rescue seemingly lost points has rediscovered its role.

Being as how Manchester United can use every stray point they can round up right now, this development has come none too soon.

And as usual, who else was there to grab the messy end of the stick than Crystal Palace?

 

Those in attendance at Selhurst Park saw a cracker of a match, with the Eagles doing what they always do: jump out to a quick start and then fail to hold an advantage in the late stages.

This one saw their 2-0 lead frittered away into a 2-3 result that left United's fans -- and players -- breathless, joyful, and thankful to hold its two-point lead on Liverpool for second place in the Premiership.

Just because Palace is Palace, more than a few punters figured the turning point in this clash would be the opening kickoff.

However, desperation is rampant as always in the relegation fight, and the Eagles are sitting 18th in the table, a mere point from safety with time running out.

 

Hope sprung early for Palace when Andros Townsend’s long-range bomb benefitted from a perfect deflection, turning into an 11th-minute goal:

 

Maybe that score had more than a touch of luck, but the Eagles' second was nothing short of genius.

While United's defense was sleeping, Patrick van Aanholt couldn't have asked for an easier goal:

 

What a devilish way to bring down the Red Devils!

Payback's a bitch, though.

The Eagles’ defense was also caught sleeping ten minutes into the second half. Inexcusably, given their jeopardy, Chris Smalling was left to convert an open header to bring one back for United:

 

What? Did he have too much game pie the night before?

A slice of that in your system can fend off the break of dawn.

 

Romelu Lukaku followed a quarter-hour later, showing why he cost United a fortune.

Dude maintained his composure in the penalty box while others were busy slipping.

 

So, would the fickle finger of fate at least let Palace split the points?

Of course not.

United smelled blood by the end of 90 minutes, and Nemanja Matić swooped in for the kill in the added seconds:

 

Stick a fork in it, Eagles.

Meanwhile, United became the Comeback Kings once more. Stoppage time, long range curling volley, keeper all stretched out, and a winner.

A perfect ending for them, indeed.