Crystal Palace suffered last-minute devastation as Manchester United fought back from two goals down to win 3-2 at Selhurst Park.

Both Andros Townsend and Patrick van Aanholt struck to give Hodgson’s men a somewhat comfortable lead, before Chris Smalling and Romelu Lukaku would level the scores.

It was when midfielder Nemanja Matic rifled in a long-range shot from outside the box in the first minute of added time that erased all of Palace’s hard work after an admirable 90 performance.

Here are five things we learned…

1. Hodgson’s approach was spot on, and the players carried it out superbly

From the opening minutes of the game it was Palace who were on the front foot and causing concerns for the opposition’s defence and midfield.

United’s creators in Jesse Lingard, Paul Pogba, and Alexis Sánchez struggled to find space between the lines because of how congested the middle was.

José Mourinho’s men looked insipid and bereft of ideas for at least an hour, forcing wasteful passes and starting over repeatedly because of the continued pressure they faced on the ball.

2. But tired legs perhaps contributed to their demise

The Eagles went into the game with several players missing, including mainstay fullback Timothy Fosu-Mensah who was ineligible due to the conditions in his loan deal and talisman Wilfried Zaha.

Given their injury-ravaged squad, Palace put up a superb fight and, with a healthier side, would have won most likely.

But as time wore on so did their legs, and sure enough United – who had brought off both their full backs and played

Lingard in an auxillary full back role – forced their openings which was largely down to the home side’s fatigue.

3. Patrick van Aanholt was the star man

The former Chelsea defender and Netherlands international was ever-present on both sides of the field, scoring arguably the easiest goal he will get all season.

He caught a napping Antonio Valencia out from a quick freekick and left David de Gea helpless for the second time when he picked his spot at the near post.

His awareness and timing of decisions made him a standout player, a near sure-fire man of the match candidate, when Palace needed someone to provide a spark.

4. But Wan-Bissaka was not far behind him

The 20-year-old went has gone from strength-to-strength following his debut in the defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend with another impressive appearance.

He did not look out of place at right back, a berth which has usually been reserved for Fosu-Mensah, and dealt with the threat of Marcus Rashford well when he was introduced after half-time.

If not for van Aanholt on the opposite flank then perhaps he would have been far and away Palace’s man of the match.

5. All in all, Palace should have buried the game at 2-1

Two particular chances stood out where Hodgson’s side should have condemned United to an embarrassing defeat.

First, when James McArthur just couldn’t quite control the ball after the ball zipped into the 12-yard box, a critical opportunity to extend the lead.

Then, after Lukaku made it 2-2 on 76 minutes, Benteke’s header which forced De Gea into a a very important save which almost wiped out United’s lead.

Given the chances they had it might be fair to say the Eagles should have won the game earlier.