Synopsis
On February 2, Manchester United lost again as Jean-Philippe Mateta scored two goals, giving Crystal Palace a 2-0 win at Old Trafford. Meanwhile, Spurs ended their winless streak with a 2-0 victory over Brentford, marking their first win at the Gtech Community Stadium.Key Takeaways
- Jean-Philippe Mateta scored two crucial goals for Crystal Palace.
- Manchester United continues to struggle with injuries.
- Spurs achieved their first win at Brentford's stadium.
- Palace's Eze made a significant impact after coming off the bench.
- Spurs ended an eight-match winless run in the league.
Manchester, Feb 2 (NationPress) Manchester United once again faltered, succumbing to a second-half double by Jean-Philippe Mateta, leading to a 2-0 defeat against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford.
Substituting Eze around the hour mark proved pivotal for Palace – his immediate influence was felt. After winning a deep free-kick, his expertly lofted delivery found Lacroix at the far post. The defender's initial header was brilliantly directed over Onana, striking the crossbar, but Mateta was quick to pounce on the rebound, scoring the opener.
As the match neared its end, Palace's fortunes improved further when Munoz evaded the offside trap in the 89th minute, receiving a perfectly threaded pass from Sarr. Munoz squared to Mateta, who clinically finished from close range, ensuring a comprehensive victory.
Concerns arose for Man United when defender Lisandro Martinez appeared injured, requiring lengthy treatment before being carried off on a stretcher, replaced by Matthijs de Ligt.
In another Sunday encounter, Spurs secured a much-needed win, ending their Premier League winless streak with a solid 2-0 triumph over Brentford. They took the lead just before the half-hour mark thanks to an own goal by Vitaly Janelt. Defending resolutely against Brentford's attacks, they sealed their victory with a second goal from Pape Matar Sarr in the 87th minute.
This marked Spurs' first victory at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium, breaking a run of three consecutive draws. It was also their first league win and clean sheet in eight matches, since their 5-0 triumph over Southampton on December 15. The result was well-deserved, showcasing outstanding defensive efforts from players like Ben Davies, Archie Gray, and Djed Spence.
