Manchester United halted by Palace ahead of Arsenal showdown
MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester United’s title momentum was dramatically halted Wednesday forward of its go to to Premier League chief Arsenal on the weekend.
Leading Crystal Palace 1-0 after 90 minutes at Selhurst Park, United appeared set to rack up a tenth straight win in all competitions and transfer as much as second within the desk, simply six factors off the highest.
Michael Olise, nevertheless, fully modified the temper of the night time by scoring a free kick within the first minute of stoppage time to earn Palace a 1-1 draw.
“We were 1-0 up. In the second half we had a lot of space to kill them and go for the second. I never saw we really went for the second goal,” United supervisor Erik ten Hag stated. “It’s difficult to say (why). I have to criticize my team. Go for the second.”
Ten Hag’s frustration was evident after a consequence that adjustments the narrative going into the sport towards Arsenal.
Now, as an alternative of having the ability to lower the Londoners’ result in three factors, defeat would depart United 11 factors adrift having performed a recreation extra.
Ten Hag has to this point talked down United’s unlikely title problem, however the enchancment in his staff has been evident on the again of 9 straight wins earlier than Palace, together with a 2-1 victory towards second-place Manchester City final weekend.
United stays the one staff to have overwhelmed Arsenal within the league this season and a repeat efficiency on the Emirates Stadium would have been a significant assertion of intent.
It nonetheless could possibly be, however the draw with Palace will really feel like a missed alternative after Bruno Fernandes had opened the scoring within the forty third.
United moved up from fourth to 3rd within the league — stage on factors with Manchester City.
While Ten Hag and his United gamers have been left annoyed, Leeds can sit up for an FA Cup fourth spherical match with Boreham Wood or Accrington Stanley after a 5-2 rout of Cardiff of their third spherical replay.
CASEMIRO BLOW
As if a visit to high-flying Arsenal on Sunday isn’t daunting sufficient, United will probably be with out considered one of its most influential gamers.
Casemiro picked up a fifth yellow card of the season towards Palace, that means the midfielder will probably be suspended for Sunday’s recreation.
“He’s a really important player for us and a reason we’re in this position. But last time we beat Arsenal without Casemiro. We need to do it again,” stated Ten Hag.
Casemiro has been considered one of United’s greatest gamers this season, dropping simply two of the 18 video games he’s began since becoming a member of from Real Madrid in the summertime.
LEEDS RELIEF
Leeds put its league struggles behind it with a morale-boosting win within the FA Cup.
The 5-2 victory towards second-tier Cardiff ended a seven-game winless streak in all competitions.
It took a Ninetieth-minute aim from Sonny Perkins to salvage a 2-2 draw within the unique recreation however the replay was a way more one-sided affair.
Leeds led 3-0 after 36 minutes with two objectives from Wilfried Gnonto and one other from Rodrigo. Gnonto gave Leeds a flying begin with a surprising volley contained in the opening minute and fired dwelling his second after Rodrigo had struck his eleventh aim of the season.
Patrick Bamford struck twice within the second half, whereas Callum Robinson pulled two again for Cardiff.
Premier League survival stays Leeds’ precedence because it sits simply two factors away from the relegation zone.
“I felt very strongly before the game that we were ready for a strong performance. I told the team that. This was obviously an important moment for us, but it’s just another moment in the development we’re trying to create,” Leeds supervisor Jesse Marsch stated.
“An important moment to gather momentum, but hard to say validation because we still have so much to do.”
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