Manchester United gave their Champions League qualification hopes a huge boost by beating Crystal Palace 2-1 at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
The Red Devils endured a difficult first half at Old Trafford, and fell behind after just four minutes when Maxence Lacroix headed home a Brennan Johnson corner.
However, the second half was a different story. United were quicker out of the blocks and won a penalty when Lacroix dragged Matheus Cunha down inside the box. After VAR review, Lacroix was shown a straight red card, while Bruno Fernandes dispatched the spot-kick.
Fernandes then turned provider eight minutes later, delivering a perfect cross onto the head of Benjamin Sesko, who made no mistake with his finish beyond Dean Henderson.
Bruno Fernandes the catalyst for Man Utd comeback
It’ll come as no surprise to anybody that Bruno Fernandes was the catalyst behind this Manchester United comeback win. The Portuguese midfielder is head and shoulders above those around him at Old Trafford and has been for some time. He was hellbent on showing it on Sunday.
As mentioned, Fernandes made no mistake from the spot to draw the Red Devils level against Palace, and while it may be meant in a derogatory manner by some, his ‘Penandes’ nickname is there for good reason. That’s his 31st Premier League penalty to date, scoring 25 of them (81%), including 16 out of 18 at Old Trafford (89%).
But Fernandes’ standout moment was undoubtedly his cross for Sesko to put United in front. It really couldn’t have been delivered any sweeter, laid on a plate for the Slovenian striker to let it hit him and beat Henderson — incidentally, for his eighth Premier League goal of the season, third in a row, and seventh goal in his last eight appearances across all competitions.
It’s the kind of delivery we’ve become accustomed to from Fernandes over the years, but one that shouldn’t be taken for granted. Where would United be without him? Indeed, he is now the first Man Utd player to provide 13+ Premier League assists in a single season since Antonio Valencia in 2011/12.
The United No.8 managed a whopping six chances created in total, while hitting the target with three of his four shots and completing two of his three dribbles. He was a menace to the Palace defence and he looks determined to drag United back into the Champions League.
Lacroix goes from hero to zero
It’s not often a player becomes the protagonist and antagonist in one match, but that was the fate endured by Maxence Lacroix on Sunday.
The French defender’s header to put Palace in front early doors really was a thing of beauty in terms of accuracy and the power he was able to generate from distance.
Lacroix’s 56 minutes on the pitch also yielded four clearances, a recovery, two aerial duels won and five passes into the final third in what was shaping up to be a very solid performance in a potential away win for the Eagles.
But then disaster struck as he was beaten for pace by Matheus Cunha, pulling the Brazilian down inside the box in a desperate attempt to salvage the situation. A red card was shown after a VAR review judged him to have denied a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Palace were never the same after that. United took total control of the game, and used their extra body to full effect with some overwhelming attacks. The odd flourish aside, the visitors never really stood a chance.
The good, the bad and the ugly for Lacroix at Old Trafford, but ultimately a costly afternoon.
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What does Sunday’s result mean for Man Utd and Crystal Palace?
Man Utd’s excellent form under Michael Carrick continues, with the Red Devils winning six and drawing one of his seven matches in charge so far.
As a result, the Red Devils have climbed all the way up to third in the table, above Aston Villa on goal difference and just eight points behind Manchester City in second. Up next for Carrick’s side is a trip to Newcastle United on Wednesday, before a vital clash with Villa at Old Trafford next weekend.
As for Palace, they’ve lost two of their last three league matches, with their narrow win over Wolves bookended by a disappointing defeat to Burnley and this result.
Oliver Glasner’s men are 14th in the table, but 10 points clear of relegation trouble and still with their Conference League ambitions to focus on. Up next is a London derby against strugglers Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday.