LONDON – Manchester United recovered from a disorganised start to snatch a 3-2 win at Crystal Palace on Monday in a match described as amazing by smiling manager Jose Mourinho whose side recovered after conceding a “disgraceful, childish” second goal.
“I don’t like my teams to lose their organisation like we did, but it was an amazing match and a very important win for us,” said the Portuguese after a stunning added time Nemanja Matic strike snatched the points.
The Serbia international’s first goal for United was hard on a Palace side who had a two-goal lead through Andros Townsend and Patrick van Aanholt only for Chris Smalling and Romelu Lukaku, with his 99th Premier League goal, to peg them back.
“Their second goal made things much more difficult for us but Chris Smalling’s goal was very important,” said Mourinho.
“I always believe we can win. I will be like that until my last day. Some days more than others, but after Smalling’s goal, I always thought it was possible.”
Roy Hodgson’s Palace were flying when Van Aanholt took advantage of Jeffrey Schlupp’s quick free kick to put the home side 2-0 ahead three minutes into the second half, leaving an incensed Mourinho raging at his side’s sloppy defending.
The win took United back up to second place, while defeat for Palace left them in the relegation zone.