Casemiro upsets United

Manchester United edged past Crystal Palace on the road to claim their tenth straight win and move into second place at the expense of City… until Casemiro saw a yellow card that will prevent him from playing against Arsenal and Olise, shortly after, converted a direct free kick in injury time. The members of the Manchester United expedition congratulated each other. They were winning at Selhurst Park using the formula that has offered them so much profitability this season. It was not enough.

Ten times Erik ten Hag’s team has taken the lead this season, and no rival could avoid defeat. Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring on the brink of rest, but as the Red Devils celebrated their rise to second place, Michael Olise sent a direct free kick into the squad. He froze the visitors, who had no time to react. After three straight defeats, Crystal Palace wanted to stop offering a good image and end without a reward. They play well, but they don’t win.

They defended United’s attacks well in the first half, and even Edouard came close to opening the scoring on 39 minutes. De Gea avoided it by flicking the ball away with his fingertips. It was a tense meeting, of constant comings and goings. Despite this, two local defenders fell asleep in the 43rd minute. Rashford took advantage of the situation to pass the ball to Eriksen, inside the area. The Dane had time to raise his head and weigh his options. Too easy. She found Fernandes coming up from behind. The Portuguese accommodated and scored.

The visiting team maintained calm and possession at the start of the second half. Trying to tame his rival, who was getting frustrated at times. Ten Hag offered Weghorst his debut with his new team, and another starting position for Casemiro, although the Brazilian was warned. When Palace pressed, already in the final stretch, the former Real Madrid player committed a foul on Zaha and saw the yellow card.

The duel against Arsenal, leader, on Sunday will be lost. The first of two bad news of the night for Ten Hag. The second being Olise’s goal. De Gea, vital on several previous occasions, could not prevent the local attacker’s direct free kick from slipping through the squad. There was no tenth consecutive win, no eighth goal in a row from Rashford… and neither a second place for Manchester United.