Man Utd see off Crystal Palace despite late scare

Man Utd got the three points after a hard fought win over Crystal Palace. The hosts got off to a perfect start with a Bruno Fernandes penalty following a handball. United were the much better side, but failed to pull clear. Marcus Rashford made it two just after the hour mark, but a stupid red card for Casemiro brought Palace back into the contest. Jeffrey Schlupp pulled one back for Palace in the 76h minute and Vieira's side piled on the pressure in the closing stages, but failed to get the equaliser.

Two days before the anniversary of the 1958 Munich air crash that killed eight United players on the way home from a match against Red Star Belgrade, Old Trafford paid an emotional pre-match tribute to the victims of the tragedy and Ten Hag's side dominated the opening half-hour. In the seventh minute, United were awarded a penalty after VAR showed Will Hughes handled Marcus Rashford's cross, with Bruno Fernandes coolly converting from the spot.

Man Utd continued to apply the pressure and Wout Weghorst almost it two inside 15 minutes, but his header was well saved by Vicente Guaita. Marcus Rashford was the next to force a save out of the Spanish goalkeeper before Fred hit the sidenetting. The visitors picked up in the closing stages of the first period. The half became more even and Schlupp nearly levelled just before half-time when his strike from 25 yards bounced just in front of De Gea and he had turn it to safety.

The second half saw Palace continue to look for the equaliser while United were getting opportunities at the other end. United looked to have put the game to bed when Rashford struck in the 62nd minute with a composed finish from Luke Shaw's cross. However, with 20 minutes remaining, Schlupp made a poor tackle on Antony, the Brazilian reacted angrily to the challenge and his compatriot Casemiro grabbed Will Hughes by the throat. The VAR alerted the referee and the former Real Madrid man was given his marching orders.

That gave Palace a huge lift and Jeff Schlupp's 76th minute strike after he turned in Doucoure's mishit shot set up a tense finish. However, despite late pressure from Palace, United held on to win six successive home league games for the first time since 2017.

The result sees Man Utd go into third, at least temporarily, while Palace remain 12th on 24 points, six above the drop zone. Man Utd host Leeds in their next match while Palace host Brighton.

 

February 4, 2023