United were not helped by a freakish Helder Costa own goal or a bizarre VAR call that denied a Patrick Bamford strike but Scott Dann, Eberechi Eze and Jordan Ayew were also all on target for Roy Hodgson's Eagles who moved sixth.
Graham Smyth, the YEP's chief football writer, hands out the scores.
1. Illan Meslier
7 - Let down by poor defending for the first and fourth goals, could do nothing with the second and unlucky with the third. Made one or two stops.
Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images.
2. Luke Ayling
7 - Got forward well in the first half, played a part in the disallowed goal and the one that stood. Not able to make the same impact second half.
Photo by Matthew Childs/Getty Images.
3. Robin Koch
6 - Dann got the better of him for the first goal and he was drawn into the challenge that gave Eze his free-kick for the second. Better on the ball than off it, in the main.
Photo by Matthew Childs/Getty Images.
4. Liam Cooper
6 - Caught out a couple of times and was walking a tightrope with the referee. Frustration began to get the better of him.
Photo by Glyn Kirk - Pool/Getty Images.
5. Pascal Struijk
5 - Palace did a good job of keeping him marked and he struggled to find the space to get on the ball and impact the game.
Photo by Glyn Kirk - Pool/Getty Images.
6. Gjanni Alioski
6 - Ran his socks off but couldn't combine with Harrison to cut Palace open on the left.
Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images.