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Righto, Jamie Jackson’s match report is here.
That means we’re all done, so thanks for your company and comments – sorry I couldn’t use them all – and do join Scott Murray for Arsenal v Chelsea.
But otherwise, peace out.
Morgan Gibbs-White also scored a lovely goal today, a drive from the edge that looked saveable because it didn’t hit the corner. But then you see it from behind him, and the, er, swazz he imparted was frankly obscene.
If you haven’t done already, make sure you see Iwobi’s brilliant and unique finish for Fulham’s second goal. In a strange way, it reminds me of Ronaldinho’s all-timer at Chelsea in 2005.
As for the winning goal, at the time, I handed most of the credit to Fernandes’ cross, which was very good, but so too was the header, Sesko separating from his marker and really cranking those neck muscles to power down into the ground. He’s got a lot of work to do on his combination play around the edge of the box but, now he’s scoring regularly, he’s good enough at it already to develop on the job.
Looking at the goals again, Yoro really did make a mess of defending the corner, not only losing Lacroix but, in the process, losing himself under the ball. This isn’t the first time he’s struggled in that kind of situation – by way of comparison, Lisandro Martínez, whom he replaced, has won 71% of his aerial duels this season, second only to Virgil van Dijk – and I’m sure Jonny Evans and Jonathan Woodgate will be working with him on that.
I was impressed with Palace today, who’d played a tough game in midweek but started today’s full of running and invention. They scored a fine early goal, looked dangerous thereafter, and contained United pretty easily but, when things came on top in the second half, an error of judgment from Lacroix cost them.
The league table:
In just under half an hour, Arsenal and Chelsea kick-off. The great Scott Murray has you covered for that one.
Results from elsewhere
Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Nottingham Forest
Fulham 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur
FULL TIME: Manchester United 2-1 Crystal Palace
Another game, another Sesko winner, but that doesn’t tell the story. Palace started as well as United were lethargic, but gradually the home side imposed themselves, and though they were helped by the red card and penalty, they were already in control of the game by then. They go third, while Palace stay 14th.
90+7 min But here come Palace again, Guessand – whose presence has made a difference – finding Pino, whose shot from the edge is easily saved by Lammens.
90+6 min Zirkzee gives it away and Palace switch is wide to Mitchell, whose cross is cleared and United have men over. Again, though, Zirkzee has shot blocked, then Mainoo leathers wide.
90+5 min But United win it back immediately, motoring downfield with Amad, who cuts back for Zirkzee to use the direction of the ball to seep his finish. He thinks he’s scored, beginning to celebrate, but a defender, Riad, I think, blocks the effort to keep the game alive.
90+4 min A poor corner from Fernandes goes over the bar. Palace have a chance to get the ball downfield.
90+2 min We’ve not seen much of Mainoo today, but he’s influenced things a little more in the last 15 or so, keeping United ticking as they look to play out time. And, as I type, he finds hectares in centrefield to control a pass from Yoro, the ball eventually making its way to Amad who, from 23 yards, explodes into a right-footed shot Henderson has to parry around the post.
90+1 min We’ll have eight additional minutes. Palace aren’t out of this, at all.
90 min Pino seeks Richards on the back post, but Casemiro is on-hand to protect the space as the ball sails over the goalline.
89 min Sarr carries forward for Palace and Heaven pulls him back as cost of a free-kick and yellow card. In the circumstances, this is a chance for Palace, Pino poised to put a ball into the box.
88 min Amad to Casemiro and into Zirkzee who, as he does far too often, waits for the ball to come to him and is relieved of it quicksmart. But Pino’s ball in behind is to no one and behind it goes.
86 min This run is, I think, by far Maguire’s best in his years at United. He was a poor signing at the time because the midfield needed addressing more than the middle of defence – though that was also problematic – and though he’s a good Prem-level player, he’s not elite. But since Carrick came in, he’s been key.
85 min Mitchell lashes a shot over the bar, then Palace send on Pino for Kamada and United go Heaven and Zirkzee for Maguire and Mbeumo.
83 min I” understand that what happened is how the rule is written,” writes Ray Ward, “but, logically, how can you red card a player for denying a goal-scoring opportunity, and then reinstate the goal-scoring opportunity?”
I know what you mean, and they got rid of double jeopardy for situations when a defender makes an effort to play the ball. But Lacroix did not, so that’s why he was sent off. As to whether that’s fair punishment, I think a penalty there suffices.
81 min There are plusses to take from this game for Palace, who looked much more like their old selves in the first half-hour. Ultimately, if you sell players as good as Olise, Eze and Geuhi, there’s going to be a drop-off, especially given the added activity of the Conference League (and what a joke it is that they weren’t allowed to play in the Europa).
79 min United move it slowly along the back four, unsure whether to go for a third goal or try and protect the second. Palace aren’t engaging much in midfield, instead looking to sit deep and spring. As I type, a ball over the top, right-hand side, allows Fernandes to hook over his shoulder for Amad – he’s been good in the second half – and the resultant shot is again easily saved by Henderson, who’s been very solid today.
77 min Palace get it wide to Mitchell who finds Hughes; his shot lacks conviction, and it blocked, but that’s a warning for United. This game isn’t over.
75 min Change for United, Amad replacing Sesko. I’m a little surprised he’s the one hooked, as should Palace equalise, he’ll be needed on the pitch – I’d have gone for Mbeumo or Cunha.
74 min Palace get it away but a ludicrous first-time switch from Bruno finds Mbeumo, who took the corner. His second ball in is a goodun, picking out Casemiro at the baclk post, and he’s free! But, careful to caress his volley on target, the effort is too close to Henderson, who shoves away.
73 min Munoz is a fine player, but Cunha has him where no one wants to be – on absolute toast – again slowing him up before changing pace to barge by on the outside. Munoz does well to get back, though, going shoulder-to-shoulder, and Cunha goes down before United win a corner.
71 min “Cunha threw himself to the ground,” says Jeff Sax. “No penalty.”
It was a foul though? Lacroiz grabbed him, then pulled him back and down, when he was in. I’d not be blaming the player for making sure that didn’t go unnoticed, I’d be chastising Lacroix for a poor decision that looks likely to cost his team the game.
69 min “As a Liverpool fan watching this match in south-west Poland, smugly happy after our victory yesterday,” writes Peadar de Burca, “it struck me for the first time how badly United need of a ‘Gambeteador’, a clever, nimble, locksmith, you know, a Florian Wirtz kind of guy. Shouldn’t every big team have someone like this especially for those games when power and pace just aren’t cutting it?”
They’ve got the best of those in the world? He scored the first goal and created the second?
68 min At Fulham, Richarlison has bagged a livener for Spurs, who now trail 2-1; can they salvage something? Back at Old Trafford, meantime, a weary Wharton is removed, Hughes replacing him; that looks like a move to limit damage and prepare for the next game.
67 min United want more goals and Cunha finds space on the left, shooting low for the far corner … but wide.
GOAL! Manchester United 2-1 Crystal Palace (Sesko 65)
United have been pouring forward all half and, when Palace clear, Fernandes collects with a simple but expert first touch, guiding a superb cross into the middle where Sesko separates from Canvot, leaping to head down powerfully for his fourth goal in five games. He is on one.
64 min Here come Palace though, Sarr shooting from distance when he had men up, Lammens saving easily enough, then United counter, Fernandes cutting in from the left, shooting low … but without enough draw on the ball, the shot going wide of the far post.
62 min One of United’s biggest problems in the Post-Fergie Wilderness YearsTM has been their inability to ringfence the opposition box and sustain attacks, a Fergie staple. But they’re doing that pretty well today.
61 min Casemiro into Bruno, who touches cleverly around the corner – he’s so good at those disguised flicks, because really that ought to have gone the other way – but Sesko can’t collect.
60 min Cunha’s into this now, slowing Munoz down then changing pace to get by on the outside, cutting back low … but Sesko can’t decide what to do, a poor first touch taking the ball behind.
58 min Changes for Palace, Guessand and Riad on for Strand Larsen and Johnson. They’re going to defend deep and hope Guessand and Sarr can give them out-balls on the counter.
GOAL! Manchester United 1-0 Crystal Palace (Fernandes pen 57)
Fernandes hesitates then passes right as Henderson moves left. They reap the reward of starting a half properly, as Palace did in the first.
MAXENCE LACROIX IS SENT OFF!
Oh man, what a day Lacroix has had. He scored a superb header early doors, then controlled Palace’s back three through a fine first half, but a rash decision – he had to let Cunha go and hope he missed a difficult chance – has changed the game. Henderson, though, saves penalties and also saves shots against his former club…
55 min The ref is called to the monitor and I don’t see how Chris Kavanagh can decide this wasn’t a goalscoring opportunity.
54 min But is that denial of a goalscoring opporunity? Cunha was away, and though the angle was tightish, he was going to have a free shot at goal. I think this is going to be a red card.
PENALTY TO UNITED!
52 min Mbeumo sends it under the bar and Henderson claws away, but there’s no one up, so United immediately launch another attack, Bruno sliding a clever ball down the side of Lacroix, who drags back Cunha outside the box, carries on into it, and is that a penalty? Maguire is up in the ref’s coupon, and he takes his time, then points to the spot!
50 min Henderson is booked for time-wasting then United come again, much more speed and conviction in their play now, but Mainoo opts to dig out a hopeful cross, Sesko heading high and wide from long range … off, as a replay shows, Lacroix’s fingers. He’s lucky VAR don’t fancy a look at that because his arm was up. So United go again, winning another corner…
48 min The corner is cleared but Dalot sends the ball into the box again, Casemiro heading it and Sesko in sending an effort wide. He is so dangerous in those positions, and United will have to find a way of replacing his goal-threat when he leaves.
47 min United have started this half like they mean it, winning three headers in a row to send Mbeumo into the box. His shot is blocked, but Sesko follows up … and Canvot blocks his effort behind, celebrating like he’s scored.
46 min We go again, United attacking the Scoreboard, not the Stretford End, having been turned around by Palace first half.
