Manchester United 2-1 Crystal Palace: In-form Benjamin Sesco scores his second successive winning goal as Manchester United come from behind to beat Oliver Glasner’s side at Old Trafford.
Maxence Lacroix’s red card was the turning point (Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Benjamin Sesco was once again Manchester United’s hero as Michael Carrick’s Manchester United came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 2-1. The result moves United into third place in the Premier League and on track to qualify for the Champions League.
Maxence Lacroix took the lead with just minutes remaining, punishing United for their poor defending. The Red Devils had little to respond as Casemiro thwarted their best chance in a lethargic first half.
However, Carrick’s men improved significantly in the second period. Lacroix forced a heroic zero, was sent off himself and awarded United a penalty, which Bruno Fernandes duly took to give his side the advantage.
Less than 10 minutes later, Sesco rose highest to meet Fernandes’ cross and continued his flurry in front of goal. Palace went for an unlikely equaliser, but the Red Devils held on to victory, making it nine games unbeaten in the league.
Here are five stories from Old Trafford.
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1. Palace never gives you a hangover.
Given that Palace were playing the Europa League final on Thursday, their slow start could have been forgiven. However, the Eagles were able to escape thanks to Lacroix’s looping header in the fourth minute.
Brennan Johnson floated away for a corner and the Palace centre-back was able to get past marker Lenny Yolo. Lacroix made good contact and, with no one in front of United, the ball settled in and Senne Lamence had the chance to keep a clean sheet.
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Maxence Lacroix opened the scoring in the fourth minute (Image: Darren Staples/AFP via Getty Images)
2. Shaw’s injury troubles return
Few players in the Premier League have suffered as much injury as Luke Shaw. But Shaw has started all 28 of United’s top-flight games this season, his longest streak since joining the Red Devils in 2014.
Unfortunately, that run is likely to end when United travel to Newcastle on Wednesday. The 30-year-old went unwell in a challenge with Daniel Muñoz and then went down when the ball went out of play.
Shaw looked like he was going to be unwell soon and instead of receiving treatment, he sat down and spoke to United’s medical staff while Nousser Mazraoui was preparing to play. The blow comes at a frustrating time for Shaw, who was tipped to be called up to the England squad later this month.
Luke Shaw left injured in the first half (Image: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
3. Lacroix goes from hero to zero
United looked sharper towards the second half, but their intentions soon paid off. Matheus Cunha lunged at Lacroix and the Frenchman grabbed the United forward’s shoulder as he entered the penalty area.
As Cunha bundled over, Chris Kavanagh pointed to the spot. The referee initially did not show Lacroix a card, but he was immediately sent to the VAR monitor to decide his fate.
After replays showed several times that Lacroix denied Cunha a clear scoring chance, Kavanagh told the stadium that the Palace offender was going to take an early bath. Fernandes stepped up to kick the penalty, sending Dean Henderson the other way and tying the score.
Maxence Lacroix was adjudged to have fouled Matheus Cunha (Image: Molly Darlington/Copa/Getty Images)
4. Sesco attacks again
Sesco was given the starting job by Carrick for the first time, and even after a frustrating time with little to gain, he did not disappoint his boss. United’s continued pressure led Fernandes to fire a powerful cross towards the Slovenia international, who jumped to head the ball past a helpless Henderson.
This took Sesco to four goals in five games and capped off a slow start at Old Trafford. The Red Devils completed their comeback and gave 10-man Palace a mountain to climb.
Benjamin Sesco is in great form (Image: Darren Staples/AFP via Getty Images)
5. Carrick’s Comfortable Home
Carrick now has four wins from four home games as United manager. Since taking over, the Red Devils have defeated Manchester City, Fulham, Tottenham and now Palace at Old Trafford.
United’s first-half performance reflected their poor start against Everton and was far from a vintage game. But just like at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, they improved after the break and took advantage of Aston Villa’s comeback against relegation-threatened Wolves to move into third place.
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