It was on this day (19th September) four years ago that Wilfried Zaha – wearing the captain's armband for the first time – was the star as Palace made it back-to-back wins away at this weekend's opponents, Manchester United.
Whatever else he went on do, Zaha was already making history when he walked out of the Old Trafford tunnel, captaining his boyhood club for the first time competitively since his debut over 10 years ago – and all against his former side to boot.
Set to the backdrop of the COVID season's unique atmosphere – a supporter-less, echo-filled Old Trafford – the Eagles secured a second consecutive win against the Red Devils, and in style.
Whether it was last season’s triumph in the Old Trafford sun, their opening day victory against Southampton, or Zaha’s leadership in this most fitting of clashes, Palace appeared driven and determined to make their mark in M16.
Roy Hodgon's side looked alert from the off, and with Jeffrey Schlupp showing his strength along the left-wing, his counterpart on the right, Andros Townsend, surged towards the back post astutely. Schlupp needed no second chance to find him, playing a ball across the box for the south Londoners’ No.10 to confidently fire home and stun the United backline.
The second 45 began exactly as the first ended, with Jordan Ayew denied by David De Gea - and also as the first began: with Palace playing in the ascendancy. Openings fell to Townsend and Schlupp, but the visitors were only able to threaten with a series of half-chances.
Then, out of nowhere, VAR halted play, encouraged Martin Atkinson to his monitor and handed Palace a surprise penalty for handball.
But with De Gea penalised for stepping off his line, responsibility passed from Ayew to Zaha - the captain filling his role with aplomb - and naturally the Ivorian fired home against his one-time side.
The Red Devils subsequently opened their account through new signing and recent substitute Donny Van de Beek, who turned home from inside the box to tee-up a potentially painful last 10 minutes.
But Zaha, Palace’s bristling captain, had other ideas. Carrying the weight of facing one of the world’s largest clubs and defending a late, slender lead, the south London talisman shrugged off any pressure and took matters into his own hands.
He broke his way into the United box, using sheer force rather than treading a delicate path, and slammed home to secure victory from 15 yards.
More of the same from the current Palace crop this weekend? Here's hoping.
Palace: Guaita, Ward, Kouyaté, Sakho, Mitchell, Townsend, McCarthy (Milivojević 88), McArthur, Schlupp (Eze 75), Ayew (Batshuyai 81), Zaha.
Subs: Hennessey, Kelly, Inniss, Meyer.
