Jason Puncheon lit up the Eagles hope with thunderbolt few minutes before coming in as a substitute, but Juan Mata struck back instantly before the young winger wrote his name into the history books.
The Red Devils fell behind to substitute Jason Puncheon’s 78th-minute strike few minutes after replacing Yoan Cabaye, 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 United hero as they sketched 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.
Palace fans weren’t happy though as controversial referee Clattenburg’s decisions on two ocassions to stop play for fouls when the Eagle’s players were through on goal left everyone talking.
