CRYSTAL PALACE 1 MANCHESTER UNITED 2 BY AYODELE ODUMADE AT SELHURST PARK Manchester United won back-to-back games in the League for the first time since the beginning of the season as they narrowly beat Crystal Palace 1-2 thanks to goals from two of Jose Mourinho’s marquee signings Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
CRYSTAL PALACE 1 MANCHESTER UNITED 2
BY AYODELE ODUMADE AT SELHURST PARK
Manchester United won back-to-back games in the League for the first time since the beginning of the season as they narrowly beat Crystal Palace 1-2 thanks to goals from two of Jose Mourinho’s marquee signings Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Having picked up four points in their last two league games, anything Palace got against Manchester United was always going to be a bonus. After their victory against Southampton at home Alan Pardew had stressed that it was important they got something from the game against Hull City.
Mourinho who has a ruthless streak dropped Anthony Martial from the squad. Wayne Rooney was recalled to the starting 11, while Eric Bailly started on the right of the defence in place of the suspended Antonio Valencia. United started very dominating possession and controlling the game, while Palace struggled to gain a foothold in the game.
Seven minutes before the break Pogba dinked a ball into the area and Rooney forced Wayne Hennessey to make a save as he tipped his shot round the post for a corner. Minutes later Carrick chipped the ball to Pogba, which he hit with the outside of his foot but it was saved again by Hennessey who appeared to be the busier of both goalkeepers.
As the fourth official indicated a minimum one added minute, United were awarded a free kick 40 years from the Palace goal. Juan Mata hit it with his left foot into the area and it fell to Ibrahimovic, who chested it down for Pogba who had the easiest task of tapping the ball home from close range to give United a vital lead going into the break. Palace switched off for one moment and it proved costly.
After the break Mathieu Flamini who was a surprise inclusion was replaced by Joe Ledley who almost made an immediate impact as he hit a shot, which just fizzed past David De Gea’s left post, replaced start.
Palace nearly drew level after some neat passing which revolved around Wilfried Zaha and eventually found its way to James McArthur who let fly from 35 yards but De Gea was equal to the task as he tipped the ball round the post. That was Palace’s best passage of play in the game up to that point. At the midway point of the game Palace came calling again and when Damien Delaney fed the ball to McArthur he made no mistake this time as he slotted the ball past De Gea to bring the Eagles level.
United responded and thought they had regained the lead when Mata scored but it was ruled out. Jesse Lingard then replaced Mata and minutes later he was played in by Ibrahimovic but Hennessey saved his shot with his feet.
With time ticking away Daley Blind got hold of the ball high up the pitch and played a pass to Pogba who steered the ball into the path of Ibrahimovic, who without breaking stride or taking a touch lifted it over the on rushing Hennessey to restore United’s lead. Although the referee added four minutes United never looked likely to lose the lead at this stage as they kept the ball and saw out the game unlike in weeks gone by when they had let leads slip.
As the final whistle went the relieved United players embraced each other and their manager, Mourinho also joined them as he showed his appreciation for this crucial win, which they had to dig deep for to keep pace with the pack at the top. Pogba is beginning to show why the manager signed him as he was imperious here at times and was unplayable, as the Palace team never quite got to grips with him.
Mourinho said: ” Our best period was after the 1-1. I think the players deserved that. Even if the game had finished 1-1 I would have the same feelings towards my players. The boys gave everything. Ibra told me he was tired I sent him to midfield he holds the ball and wins ball in the air. Before Tottenham we had the win in Ukraine. Ibra is not just about goals. It is about his passion and his leadership.”
Pardew said: “We made it really difficult for Manchester United tonight. We deserved to come in at 0-0 but the decision was tough for us. In the end we were undone by two of the best players.”
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