Manchester United 2, Crystal Palace 1
Goals by Bruno Fernandes and Benjamin Sesko saw Manchester United overhaul an early goal by Maxence Lacroix to beat Crystal Palace.
They were helped by the sending off of Lacroix early in the second half after he held back Matheus Cunha to concede a penalty which turned the tide.
United got off to a poor start after Maxence Lacroix was allowed plenty of time and space to get on the end of a Brennan Johnson corner and head the Eagles into the lead after just 4 minutes.
United were poor but could have equalised after 31 minutes when Bryan Mbeumo’s corner was headed goal wards by Harry Maguire only for Ismaila Sarr to clear it off the line.
Benjamin Sesko also went close a couple of times but Palace held firm in the first half even though United dominated.
The Reds came back in the second half when Lacroix pulled back Matheus Cunha as he broke into the area chasing a Bruno Fernandes through ball.
Cunha was hauled back by Lacroix as he entered the box, referee Christopher Kavanagh awarded a penalty and, after a lengthy VAR check, also sent off the French defender as the fouling started short of the box.
And less than 8 minutes later the Reds were in the lead after a poor clearance from the 10-man Eagles fell to Fernandes who swung a cross in from the right and Benjamin Sesko found a little space from which to head the home side into the lead.
Harry Maguire went off late in the game as United managed to hold on for the win.
Embed from Getty ImagesPLAYER RATINGS – Manchester United 2, Crystal Palace 1
Senne Lammens: 6. Saved a few tines from Ismaila Sarr.
Diogo Dalot: 6. Precious little going forward – had to keep an eye on Tyrick Mitchell.
Leny Yoro: 5. Lost contact with Maxence Lacroix for the Crystal Palace opening goal. Troubled by the pace of Ismaila Sarr.
Harry Maguire: 6. Battled with Jorgen Strand Larsen. His header from Bryan Mbeumo’s corner was goalbound but cleared off the line by Ismaila Sarr. Went off late in the game with what looked like an injury.
Luke Shaw: 5. Rattled by Daniel Munoz who had his number. Looked slow in comparison to the quick full back. Lasted 24 minutes before he broke down after a couple of heavy tackles including one where Munoz appeared to tread on his left foot.
Casemiro: 7. Relished physical contest. Headed a Bruno Fernandes free kick wide. Got on the end of a cross by Bryan Mbeumo but his volley saved by Dean Henderson
Kobbie Mainoo: 6. Good when given space to dictate. Late shot went wide.
Bryan Mbeumo: 7. Good delivery of set pieces and crosses from the right but no profit thanks to deep Palace defending.
Bruno Fernandes: 8. Worked hard throughout. Free kick touched over by Dean Henderson, another headed wide by Casemiro. Slotted home equaliser from the penalty spot after his pass released Matheus Cunha.
Matheus Cunha: 6. Won the penalty that got the Reds back into the game.
Benjamin Sesko: 8. Fed on scraps early on but looked good and at least gave Dean Henderson a couple of saves to make and had a second half shot blocked by Jaydee Canvot.
Noussair Mazraoui (on for Luke Shaw, 24): 6. Came on at left back to replace Shaw. Solid showing but few chances to get forward.
Amad (on for Benjamin Sesko, 75): 6. Had a long range effort saved by Dean Henderson. And an added time 25 yard smash palmed away by Henderson.
Ayden Heaven (on for Harry Maguire, 85): No time to mark
Joshua Zirkzee (on for Bryan Mbeumo, 85): No time to mark
GOALS – Manchester United 2, Crystal Palace 1
Man Utd 0, Crystal Palace 1: 4. Maxence Lacroix given all the time and space he needed to get on the end of Brennan Johnson’s lofted corner from 12 yards out after Leny Yoro lost him. The ball floated into the back of the net past everyone.
Man Utd 1, Crystal Palace 1: 57. Bruno Fernandes slots his long awaited spot kick into the right side of the goal, Dean Henderson went the wrong way!
Man Utd 2, Crystal Palace 1: 65. Benjamin Sesko found space and outjumped Jaydee Canvot to head United into the lead after Bruno Fernandes returned a poor clearance with interest from wide on the right.
MATCH STATS – Manchester United 2, Crystal Palace 1
Man Utd: Lammens, Dalot, Yoro, Maguire (Heaven 85), Shaw (Mazraoui 24), Casemiro, Mainoo, Mbeumo (Zirkzee 85), Fernandes (C), Cunha, Sesko (Amad 75)
Man Utd Subs not used: Bayindir, Malacia, Ugarte, T Fletcher, Moorhouse
Bookings: Dalot 36 (foul on Daichi Kamada); Heaven 89 (foul on Ismaila Sarr)
Goals: Fernandes 57 pen; Sesko 65
Crystal Palace: Henderson (C), Richards, Lacroix, Canvot, Munoz, Wharton (Hughes 68), Kamada (Pino 85), Mitchell, Sarr, Johnson (Riad 58), Strand Larsen (Guessand 58)
Crystal Palace Subs not used: Benitez, Uche, Clyne, Sosa, Devenny
Bookings: Kamada 6 (foul on Bryan Mbeumo); Henderson 49 (time wasting)
Red Card: Lacroix 56 (denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity, hauled back Matheus Cunha)
Goal: Lacroix 4
Attendance: 73,934