Manchester United 5
Scholes 22, 49, Smith 35, Boyce og 48, O'Shea 90

Crystal Palace 2
Granville 27, Kolkka 46

Iain Dowie was left livid as once again his side conceded straight after scoring to let Manchester United off the hook and bag victory. It was a harsh defeat for the Eagles, leaving them in the bottom three at Christmas.

The match turned when Joonas Kolkka equalised for Palace just after the break following an exquisite move.

As had happened at Anfield and St Marys, Palace threw away all their good work when Emmerson Boyce unluckily headed the ball into his own net just a minute later.

Scholes notched his second within seconds of the restart which effectively killed off Palace's chances and gave the subdued home crowd something to shout about.

Dowie said: "It's fair to say we lost it in that couple of minutes just after half time.

"You don't like to be over-critical but we gave them to soft goals and you can't afford to give that kind of encouragement to a quality side like United."

After a lively start, United had a golden opportunity to score in the ninth minute when referee Steve Dunn gave a traditional Old Trafford penalty after Granville made the slightest of contact with Fletcher in the box.

Justice was done when Kiraly saved Rooney's spot kick but United didn't have to wait long to go in front.

Scholes cut inside Watson in a crowded penalty area and dispatched a powerful shot past Kiraly. Palace responded well and got back on level terms five minutes later.

The recalled Gonzalo Sorondo headed Wayne Routledge's corner against Andy Johnson.

The ball fell to Granville who steered the ball into the roof of the net.

Alan Smith then restored the hosts lead when he rose unchallenged to head home Scholes' corner 10 minutes before the break.

Palace started the second half in spectacular fashion when Fitz Hall found Routledge and the Palace winger combined well with Hughes.

Hughes floated in a perfect cross for Kolkka to nod past Carroll to make it 2-2.

But after Kiraly had brilliantly palmed away a rasping Rooney drive, the ball was played back into the box.

The Hungarian couldn't claim the cross under pressure from Scholes and the ball deflected off Boyce's head and trickled despairingly into the empty net.

Scholes compounded Palace's misery a minute later with his second and John O'Shea finished off the scoring in stoppage time.

MATCH STATS
Man of the Match - Gabor Kiraly.
It's not often that a goalkeeper wins man of the match after conceding five goals, but the Hungarian once again excelled and kept United at bay with some great saves, especially the two denying Rooney. With some of the bigger clubs having goalkeeping difficulties, lets hope they do not turn their attentions to our man in the tracksuit.
Palace: Kiraly 8, Boyce 6, Sorondo 6, Hall 6, Granville 6, Routledge 7 (Andrews 81 6), Riihilahti 6 (Soares 69 6), Watson 7, Hughes 6(Lakis 69 6), Kolkka 7, Johnson 6. Subs Not Used: Speroni, Popovic. Man Utd PALACE 14 On Target 3 5 Off Target 1 12 Fouls 8 0 Yellow Cards 1 0 Red Cards 0