Manchester United picked up a much-required victory over Tottenham at the weekend, a win that moved them closer to the top-four. Jose Mourinho will now target another three points when they travel to London to face Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
With the defence looking a lot more solid and the attack, slowly but surely, finding its range, Manchester United will want to carry the momentum from the Spurs win into the Crystal Palace game.
Here is a look at how this Premier League match at Selhurst Park might go.
First half: Wilfried Zaha, playing against his old club, almost gives Crystal Palace the perfect start, running through on goal in the second minute, with his strike beating David De Gea, before hitting the outside of the post. The game is end-to-end early on, with Manchester United looking constantly dangerous against the suspect Palace defence. Zlatan Ibrahimovic forces a save from Wayne Hennessey and Wayne Rooney, in place of the injured Henrikh Mkhitaryan, stings the palms of the Crystal Palace goalkeeper.
Despite the open start, it takes until the 42nd minute for the opening goal to come and it is scored by former Liverpool man Christian Benteke, who powers a header past De Gea off a cross from the inspired Zaha.
Second half: Manchester United make a fast start in search of the equalising goal and the winner after that, knowing a point won't do, and that strong beginning pays dividends as Paul Pogba and Ibrahimovic combine to devastating effect. Pogba strides from midfield with the ball and plays a pass to Ibrahimovic just outside the box. As the Palace defenders focus on the Manchester United striker, Pogba makes a run in behind, with Ibrahimovic finding his teammate perfectly with a lobbed pass. Pogba decides to strike the ball on the volley and it flies into the back of the net.
The away fans find their voice following that goal, but egged on by the home support, Crystal Palace continue to threaten, with Jason Puncheon firing just wide and Benteke seeing another header, this time, go straight into the hands of De Gea.
Manchester United also look dangerous at the other end, as Anthony Martial comes close with a swerving shot, but it is Pogba again who strikes for his team. Rooney is fouled around 25 yards from goal and the France international takes ownership of the freekick. Having struck the bar in the last match, Pogba hits the target this time, curling one into the top corner in emphatic style.
Palace go into all-out-attack mode, and there are a few scary moments for the United defence, particularly when Yohan Cabaye strikes the base of the post, but the score remains 2-1 and United roll on to their second straight Premier League win.
