Manchester United put in a dominant performance to beat a terrible Crystal Palace, who have lost all seven Premier League games this season without scoring. Unbeaten United led within three minutes when Marcus Rashford’s excellent work on the left wing ended with a cut-back to Juan Mata, who steered home from 10 yards out. Their second came when Ashley Young crossed for Marouane Fellaini to volley home from two yards out at the back post. Fellaini scored his second goal with a close-range header from Rashford’s free-kick early in the second half. Romelu Lukaku scored a late fourth – his 11th goal in 10 United games – by converting Anthony Martial’s cross from close range.
The result took United top for a couple of hours, until Manchester City beat Chelsea 1-0 to overtake them on goal difference again. Palace remains bottom. United continued their fantastic goal scoring start to the season – they have now netted 33 times in 11 games – and, against very limited opposition, they could have won by more, falling just short of matching City’s 5-0 victory over the Eagles a week ago. The Red Devils only landed back in Manchester at 04:00 GMT on Thursday after the 4-1 Champions League win at CSKA Moscow. But, having made five changes from that game, they did not look tired at all.
In fact, they led after only three minutes when Rashford, who replaced Anthony Martial in the line-up, beat Joel Ward with some excellent skill before setting up Mata – another of those recalled – on the Spaniard’s 200th Premier League appearance. Fellaini then scored twice, from crosses by Young and Rashford. United eased up at this point – there would have been more goals available had they maintained the level of their early performance. But they did get another when Lukaku, who has failed to score in only one of his United games, lashed home Martial’s cross late on.
Jose Mourinho’s side had other chances – Chris Smalling headed just wide, Rashford and Martial were denied by good Wayne Hennessey saves, and Lukaku dragged a shot inches wide having sent the keeper the wrong way.
