EveryThing: Lingard took Manchester United to their first silverware in almost three years

jason Puncheon left the Eagles with one hand on the cup with a late goal, but Juan Mata struck back instantly before the young winger wrote his name into the history books

A brilliant strike from Jesse Lingard took Manchester United to their first silverware in almost three years, as the Red Devils triumphed 2-1 over Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final. 

United fell behind to substitute Jason Puncheon's 78th-minute strike, but Juan Mata levelled within 180 seconds to take the game to extra time.

Chris Smalling – earlier embroiled in controversy after hauling back a goal-bound Connor Wickham – saw red just before the end of the first additional 15 minutes following a foul on Yannick Bolasie, but substitute Lingard proved the Reds hero as they etched their name on the famous trophy for a record-equalling 12th time and first since 2004, casting aside pre-match speculation that Van Gaal is to be replaced by Jose Mourinho.

The Dutchman's failure to steer United into the Champions League is a key catalyst for his likely exit, but the 64-year-old can at least boast a major honour from his two-year tenure after Saturday's deserved victory.

However, it was heartbreak for Palace and their boss Alan Pardew, who played when the club last reached the Cup final – United prevailing back in 1990 after a replay – and managed West Ham in their 2006 penalty shootout loss to Liverpool.