Marouane Fellaini scored a second-half winner against Crystal Palace to put Manchester United within a victory of qualifying for the Champions League.
Ashley Young was the provider of both United goals, the winger winning a first-half penalty when Scott Dann handled his cross.
Juan Mata scored from the spot before Jason Puncheon levelled for Palace with a deflected free-kick after the break.
Fellaini then headed in Young’s cross on 78 minutes.
| Palace finally break through |
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| This was the first time in five visits in all competitions that United have conceded a goal at Selhurst Park. |
Louis van Gaal’s side were grateful for some superb saves from David De Gea, but they once again showed character as they recovered from Puncheon’s equaliser and a period of sustained Palace pressure to win the game.
Their remaining rivals for the final Champions League spot are Liverpool, and United’s superior goal difference means they will effectively return to the Champions League if Brendan Rodgers’ side fail to win at the home of champions Chelsea on Sunday.
Young had previously set up just two goals this season, but he doubled that tally of contributions at Selhurst Park with an accomplished performance on the left wing.
He presented Mata with the chance to put the visitors in front when his cross was handled by Dann – the Palace defender leaning into the ball as he misjudged its trajectory.
It was the only real highlight of a first half which saw very few chances, but United suffered injuries to both full-back Luke Shaw and lone striker Wayne Rooney which led to the England pair being substituted.
Palace improved after the break, with Jason Puncheon stepping from the bench to bend home a free-kick via a deflection off Daley Blind in the United wall.
The Eagles had their Premier League safety assured by results before the evening kick-off and, with the pressure off, they played some dynamic football in the final third.
James McArthur poked just wide while De Gea made a point-blank save to deny Glenn Murray as wingers Yannick Bolasie and Puncheon started to dominate the game.
However, it was United winger Young who had the final say when his superb delivery from deep picked out Fellaini, who was surrounded by three markers but in exactly the right place to nod the ball into the empty net.
De Gea made another tremendous save to deny Murray and put United on the verge of a return to Europe’s elite competition, where they would face a play-off to reach the group stages.
Most penalties scored in Premier League history: Liverpool 102, Chelsea 100, Arsenal 94, Manchester United 90, Newcastle 89
The three goals Palace have scored from free-kicks this season are against Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United
Ashley Young has provided as many PL assists in 2014-15 (4), as he did in his previous two seasons combined
Wayne Rooney was substituted at half-time after sustaining an injury
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Source: BBC Sport
Marouane Fellaini scored a second-half winner against Crystal Palace to put Manchester United within a victory of qualifying for the Champions League.
Ashley Young was the provider of both United goals, the winger winning a first-half penalty when Scott Dann handled his cross.
Juan Mata scored from the spot before Jason Puncheon levelled for Palace with a deflected free-kick after the break.
Fellaini then headed in Young’s cross on 78 minutes.
| Palace finally break through |
|---|
| This was the first time in five visits in all competitions that United have conceded a goal at Selhurst Park. |
Louis van Gaal’s side were grateful for some superb saves from David De Gea, but they once again showed character as they recovered from Puncheon’s equaliser and a period of sustained Palace pressure to win the game.
Their remaining rivals for the final Champions League spot are Liverpool, and United’s superior goal difference means they will effectively return to the Champions League if Brendan Rodgers’ side fail to win at the home of champions Chelsea on Sunday.
Young had previously set up just two goals this season, but he doubled that tally of contributions at Selhurst Park with an accomplished performance on the left wing.
He presented Mata with the chance to put the visitors in front when his cross was handled by Dann – the Palace defender leaning into the ball as he misjudged its trajectory.
It was the only real highlight of a first half which saw very few chances, but United suffered injuries to both full-back Luke Shaw and lone striker Wayne Rooney which led to the England pair being substituted.
Palace improved after the break, with Jason Puncheon stepping from the bench to bend home a free-kick via a deflection off Daley Blind in the United wall.
The Eagles had their Premier League safety assured by results before the evening kick-off and, with the pressure off, they played some dynamic football in the final third.
James McArthur poked just wide while De Gea made a point-blank save to deny Glenn Murray as wingers Yannick Bolasie and Puncheon started to dominate the game.
However, it was United winger Young who had the final say when his superb delivery from deep picked out Fellaini, who was surrounded by three markers but in exactly the right place to nod the ball into the empty net.
De Gea made another tremendous save to deny Murray and put United on the verge of a return to Europe’s elite competition, where they would face a play-off to reach the group stages.
Most penalties scored in Premier League history: Liverpool 102, Chelsea 100, Arsenal 94, Manchester United 90, Newcastle 89
The three goals Palace have scored from free-kicks this season are against Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United
Ashley Young has provided as many PL assists in 2014-15 (4), as he did in his previous two seasons combined
Wayne Rooney was substituted at half-time after sustaining an injury
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Source: BBC Sport