Manchester United were in a transition of their own, entering their first season without Sir Matt Busby at the helm since 1945. The legendary Scot had stepped down after 24 silverware-laden years at Old Trafford, guiding the club through the tragedy of the Munich Air Disaster in 1958 to their maiden European Cup triumph a decade later.
Just a year on from their success against Benfica at Wembley, Manchester United under Wilf McGuiness were still a formidable prospect. The two sides had last faced one another in Division Two in 1925, but this was a different proposition altogether.
The visitors’ lineup was packed full of legendary names, from Bill Foulkes to Brian Kidd, Tony Dunne to Paddy Crerand. But at its heart was the trio that had become known as ‘The Holy Trinity’: Denis Law, Bobby Charlton and George Best.
As is so often the case in Palace’s history, they refused to let the underdogs tag get the better of them. Mel Blyth put the hosts ahead after just 11 minutes, forever etching his name into history as the club’s first top-flight goalscorer.
Bobby Charlton equalised soon after, but Palace went ahead again just before half-time via Gerry Queen.
Unfortunately holding on for a famous victory proved too much, with Willie Morgan’s second-half equaliser meaning the points were shared.