The referee's second-half whistle sent Crystal Palace kicking the ball backward from the center circle, and the shape they'd shown in the warm-up became real immediately.
Doucouré stayed attached to Demien the instant he dropped toward Casemiro.
Schlupp closed in from the other side whenever the pass traveled toward him.
Andersen stepped several yards out of the defensive line every time Demien turned to face goal.
Guéhi never left Højlund's shoulder.
Demien checked over both shoulders before United had even won the ball back.
He clocked Doucouré behind him and Schlupp waiting inside, and he caught Bruno's eye, because two markers on him had to mean space somewhere else.
He let a small smile show rather than answering with a flat nod, and he pointed Bruno toward the central pocket that had opened up behind Schlupp.
