Manchester United 2-0 Crystal Palace

Moyes gets first Old Trafford win amid penalty controversy

ESPN staff

September 14, 2013

Marouane Fellaini signs autographs before making his debut for Manchester United © Getty Images

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David Moyes earned his first Old Trafford win as Manchester United manager as a first-half Robin van Persie penalty and a late Wayne Rooney goal helped see off 10-man Crystal Palace at Old Trafford.

Crystal Palace had kept things tight until Kagisho Dikgacoi was red-carded for denying Ashley Young a clear goal-scoring opportunity two minutes before half-time. Debate raged as to whether the decision was correct, but Van Persie converted the penalty and Rooney scored his first goal of the season late on to clinch victory.

Rooney returned to the Manchester United starting line-up after concerns over his ability to play with a gash on his forehead suffered in training were settled. Marouane Fellaini was on the bench for his first game since his £27.5 million move from Everton, while Shinji Kagawa did not even feature there due to flu.

Palace, in search of their first league win at Old Trafford since 1989, began with former Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh leading the line.

United fans were up in arms in the ninth minute as Patrice Evra's charge into the box ended with a coming together between him and Mile Jedinak, however referee Jon Moss turned away vociferous appeals for a penalty. Ten minutes later, Ashley Young went tumbling in dramatic fashion in almost the same patch of grass, but again Moss stood firm.

It had been a fairly quiet first half in terms of clear-cut chances until the 39th minute, when a delightful weighted pass from Rooney on the right found Robin van Persie in space 12 yards from goal, and the Dutchman controlled well on his chest before a dipping shot glanced off the top of the crossbar and over.

Barely a minute later it was Rooney with a clear sight of goal, as Young found him at the back post but - perhaps restricted by his protective headgear - the striker could not make a proper connection with his forehead.

Suddenly, chances were coming at a frantic pace, and Palace were next to threaten as a deep ball flummoxed Rio Ferdinand and was controlled with a fantastic first touch by Dwight Gayle who then prodded the ball wide of the far post as David de Gea closed down the angle.