Manchester United moved to within one result of securing a Champions League place courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park this evening.
The visitors broke the deadlock from the penalty spot in the first half as Juan Mata converted after Scott Dann had been penalised for a handball.
Palace fought back after the break and got an equaliser through Jason Puncheon's free kick, but Marouane Fellaini nodded home at the back post 12 minutes from time to hand his side a vital three points.
Here, Sports Mole looks at whether the Red Devils were worthy winners in the capital.
Match statistics
CRYSTAL PALACE
Shots: 13
On target: 4
Possession: 37%
Corners: 7
Fouls: 13
MAN UTD
Shots: 13
On target: 4
Possession: 63%
Corners: 6
Fouls: 12
Was the result fair?
In terms of the league table, there is no doubt that United needed the points more than Palace today, but the hosts are unfortunate not to come away with at least a share of the spoils. The statistics above, with the exception of possession, are all very even and, as that suggests, a draw would have been a fairer result today. It looked for a while like Palace may even get all three, but the contrasting fortunes of either goalkeeper saw United ultimately pick up the victory.
There is little doubt that the visitors deserved their lead at the break. They were not at their very best in the first half, but they had an element of control over the match and were dominating possession. Palace struggled to get any sort of momentum going and the match fell into a rhythm and pace that was dictated by United. There were not too many clear chances in the opening 45 minutes, but the penalty was the right decision and United had earlier hit the post through Daley Blind as well.
The second half was completely different, however. Palace came out as a new team and caused United plenty of problems, particularly down the wings. The introduction of Puncheon made a big difference, and the Eagles deserved their equaliser when it came. It would have been hard to argue against them getting a second too, but David de Gea's brilliance prevented that. They were still on top when Fellaini scored following an error from Julian Speroni and will feel really hard done by not to have come away with something from this game.
Crystal Palace's performance
A cursory glance at Palace's position and form could lead some to believe that they already have their minds on the summer holidays. With their Premier League status secure, they have now lost four games on the bounce for the first time in more than two years. However, today's second-half performance was full of desire and character, and the scoreline does not do the Eagles justice. They were brilliant in the second 45 minutes and will be wondering how they ended up empty-handed from this game.
Admittedly, the first-half display was a lot flatter from the hosts. They had a couple of bright moments and were by no means overrun by United, but they did not do enough to disrupt the rhythm of the match. United looked comfortable having been allowed to settle into the game fairly quickly, and it was not until the second half that the hosts began to test them. Puncheon was the catalyst for that, and suddenly the likes of Yannick Bolasie and Glenn Murray were looking dangerous every time they came forward.
United struggled to live with Palace for a sizeable chunk of the second half, and the visitors have De Gea to thank for keeping them level during that period. Murray was denied by the Spaniard on a couple of occasions when presented with a great chance as neither he nor his teammates could find that second goal. The defeat will be hard to swallow following such an improved second-half performance, but there are plenty of positives for Alan Pardew to take from this one. Even so, a top-half finish is now almost beyond them.
Man Utd's performance
United came into this match faced not only with the prospect of losing four league games in a row for the first time since 1961, but also handing more momentum to Liverpool in the race for a Champions League spot. Only a win would really do for Louis van Gaal's side if they were to put to bed any fears of throwing a top-four place away and, at this stage of the season, it is results that matter more than performances. Van Gaal will be delighted to be back to winning ways, even if his side did ride a bit of luck to get the three points.
Their first-half display was controlled and confident as they went into the break with a deserved lead, but they were forced to weather a vicious storm for much of the second half. They had particular problems down their right flank defensively, but Ashley Young was at least continuing to carry a threat going forward on the left. He and De Gea proved to be the heroes for United today, with the latter making one world-class stop and a number of other decent ones to keep Palace at bay.
In many ways, this match was the perfect microcosm of United's season. They were not at their best but still managed to pick up the victory despite suffering from injuries, with Luke Shaw, Wayne Rooney and Chris Smalling all being forced off. They also relied heavily on De Gea to rescue points and, when the going got tough, a high ball up to Fellaini did the trick. It has been the story of Van Gaal's reign so far, but they now just need Liverpool to lose tomorrow to achieve their goal of a top-four finish.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Ashley Young: There were a few candidates for this award today, with Puncheon changing the game when he came on and De Gea deserving of a mention for his heroics between the sticks. Young gets the nod for his role in both United goals, however. He had the beating of Joel Ward all afternoon, and his side's two goals both came as a result of him skipping away from the defender. The first saw him provide the cross that hit Dann for the penalty, while he also picked up an assist for Fellaini's header.
Biggest gaffe
There were a few candidates for this one too. Dann got himself into an awkward position to give away the penalty, leaning into the ball as it struck his upper arm. Blind's defending in the wall for the equaliser would have left Van Gaal apoplectic as he ducked out of the way, with the ball taking a nick off the midfielder to divert it beyond De Gea.
Both of those lead directly to goals, but perhaps the most costly error came from Speroni at the end. The Palace keeper came off his line to claim Young's cross, but he was nowhere near commanding enough. He ended up getting blocked off by his own player when he should have cleaned out everything in his way, allowing Fellaini to nod the ball into an empty net.
Referee performance
There were a number of penalty shouts this afternoon, and Michael Oliver got the majority of them right. He turned down a number of soft claims from either side, but did very well to spot Dann's handball in the first half. Palace wanted one of their own after the break when Puncheon went down under the challenge of Mata, and that was the closest rejected call from the official today. There was contact from the Spaniard, but Puncheon's theatrical fall may have made Oliver's mind up.
What next?
Crystal Palace: Having failed to do Liverpool a favour this afternoon, Palace travel to Anfield to face the Merseysiders next weekend before hosting Swansea City on the final day.
Man Utd: United, meanwhile, may already be assured a top-four place by the time they host Arsenal next Sunday, while Hull City are their opponents on the final day.
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