Manchester United travelled to Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Wednesday night looking to build on their 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend.
Man United dominated the opening 45 minutes at Selhurst Park and led at the interval courtesy of a Paul Pogba strike in the second minute of additional time at the end of the first period.
Palace were level in the 66th minute through James McArthur, but Man United secured all the points in the 88th minute when Zlatan Ibrahimovic finished following a super Pogba pass.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live Premier League coverage continues from Selhurst Park as Crystal Palace welcome Manchester United in what promises to be a fascinating match. Man United just seem to have turned a corner in recent weeks, but under the lights at a vocal and indeed atmospheric Selhurst Park, Palace will be confident of upsetting Jose Mourinho's side. Stay tuned for all of the action!
Man United have played Palace 14 times in the Premier League and incredibly, have never been beaten. That run of fixtures includes 11 wins for the Red Devils, while the 20-time English champions have lost just one of their last 21 games against Palace in all competitions – a League Cup quarter-final in 2012. It would be fair to say that Palace do not exactly like facing Man United!
In terms of more recent history – Man United famously beat Palace 2-1 in last season's FA Cup final to land the crown. They also recorded a 2-0 victory when they clashed in the Premier League at Old Trafford, but the points were shared in a goalless draw at Selhurst Park. Despite Man United's strong record against Palace, this has all the makings of a very tough night of football for Mourinho's side.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the English capital. Both managers had some injury problems entering this match – who has made it? Let's have a look at the two XIs that will start tonight's fixture... (spoiler, the man in the picture starts)
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TEAMS!
PALACE: Hennessey; Ward, Dann, Delaney, Kelly; McArthur, Flamini, Cabaye; Lee, Benteke, Zaha
UNITED: De Gea; Bailly, Jones, Rojo, Blind; Carrick, Herrera; Mata, Pogba, Rooney; Ibrahimovic
Palace boss Alan Pardew has made three changes to the team that drew 3-3 with Hull City at the weekend - Yohan Cabaye, Mathieu Flamini and Chung-Yong Lee taking the places of Joe Ledley, Andros Townsend and the suspended Jason Puncheon. James Tomkins is still on the sidelines for the Eagles, meaning that Damien Delaney and Scott Dann continue at centre-back despite their disappointing form.
As for Man United, head coach Jose Mourinho has made four alterations from the 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur - three of which are enforced. Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Anthony Martial both miss out through injury, while Antonio Valencia serves a one-match suspension. The only change sees Matteo Darmian drop out, with Eric Bailly, Daley Blind, Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney returning to the XI. Paul Pogba is expected to play in an advanced midfield role in support of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this cold evening in the English capital. I shall speak about Palace a little bit later, but let's start with Man United, who will enter this match off the back of a morale-boosting 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend. Has a corner been turned? Tonight will give a good indication!
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The Premier League table does not exactly make great reading for Man United. A total of 24 points from 15 matches has left Mourinho's side in sixth position, some 13 points behind the league leaders Chelsea. Sunday's win over Tottenham, however, saw the Red Devils move to within six points of fourth-place Manchester City, who are really struggling for form and indeed at the moment.
It has been a story of too many Premier League draws in recent weeks, with six of their last nine in the league finishing all square. They have only lost once during that run, however, and are unbeaten in all competitions since suffering a 2-1 defeat at Fenerbahce in the Europa League on November 3.
Man United were late arriving for tonight's match, but the Red Devils are now in the building...
Man United were late arriving for tonight's match, but the Red Devils are now in the building...
The lads are in the building! #MUFC #CRYMUN pic.twitter.com/EH1wSh51SK — Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 14, 2016
It did appear that Mourinho's side would collect all three points away to Everton on December 4, but a late Leighton Baines penalty saw the Toffees secure a point in a 1-1 draw. It has been a good week for the club, however, with a 2-0 win at Zorya booking their spot in the last-32 stage of the Europa League, before Mkhitaryan scored his first league goal against Spurs at the weekend.
There is no question that Man United's football under Mourinho - especially over the last month or so - has been more progressive, more exciting and indeed more dynamic than under either David Moyes or Louis van Gaal. The team finally appears to be taking shape and they have the chance to move up the league table as they stare at a run of very winnable matches over the Christmas period.
Indeed, they will travel to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday night, before facing Sunderland and Middlesbrough at home in their next two. They will then visit West Ham United on January 2, before hosting Reading and Hull City in back-to-back cup fixtures. After that run of games comes the small matter of Liverpool in the league at Old Trafford. Between December 26 and January 15, five of Man United's six games across three competitions are at home. It could be a good month for Mourinho's side.
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As for Palace, it has been a difficult start to the season. Pardew's side have won four, drawn three and lost eight of their 15 league games this term, with a total of 15 points leaving them down in 15th position in the table. They are actually only three points outside of the relegation zone ahead of tonight's match and just four points off the bottom of the table, which is an indication of their struggles.
Palace went five games unbeaten – winning three of them – beaten August 27 and September 30, but they have been on a downward curve since then. They suffered six straight defeats between October 15 and November 26, which included that crazy 5-4 loss against Swansea City in Wales.
The London side have taken four points from their last two matches – a 3-0 win over Southampton on December 3 followed by a 3-3 draw with Hull City at the weekend, but Pardew will be very concerned with his team's defence. Indeed, they have conceded 29 times in the league this season, including seven times in their last three matches. They just have not been good enough at the back.
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Christian Benteke has netted five goals in his last five Premier League appearances for Palace, but the Eagles have failed to score in 11 of their 14 Premier League games against Man United. Incredibly, Jason Puncheon is the only current Palace player to score for the club against the Red Devils. Pardew will be hoping that Benteke & Co. can end that stunning statistic tonight.
In terms of what is ahead for Palace, they have another tough home game against Chelsea on Saturday afternoon, before visiting Watford on Boxing Day and Arsenal on New Year's Day. They will then welcome Swansea City on January 3 before playing their FA Cup third-round tie away to Bolton Wanderers on January 7. Right, kickoff at Selhurst Park is now just under 10 minutes away!
Well. This is, erm, different...
Let's hope for a move like this against @ManUtd this evening... Come on you Palace!@NewAmsterdam #CRYMUN 🔴🔵 #CPFC pic.twitter.com/y02acx0DcI — Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) December 14, 2016
Here we go then - both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. You just get the feeling that the first goal tonight - if there indeed is one - could be vital. Here's to a good game!
KICKOFF! Man United kick things off under the lights at Selhurst Park...
... it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium tonight. Both sets of supporters are in fine voice, that is for sure. As expected, it is Man United with the early possession.
Zaha is the player closest to Benteke in the Palace attack, with Lee on the opposite side dropping back to help his full-back. Man United continue to boss the possession as they move from left to right and a long ball towards Ibrahimovic forces Dann to head behind for the first corner of the match.
The resulting corner is delivered towards Pogba, but the Frenchman was holding Dann's shirt.
Man United bossing the ball as they continue to pass from left to right, but Palace are nice and tight and there has not been a chance to speak of inside the opening five minutes of this match.
Half-chance for Man United as the away side quicken the pace and Mata delivers a smart cross onto the head of Rooney, but the skipper's effort is over the crossbar. Good football from those two.
Concern for Man United here as Bailly goes down holding his knee.
Darmian was stripped and ready to come on, but Bailly has returned to the action here.
Palace have looked long into Benteke in the early moments, but Man United have been completely untroubled as they continue to utterly dominate possession of the ball. Ibrahimovic bullies his way through the Palace defence and looks to strike towards goal, but Dann makes a smart block.
It has been a bit better from Palace in the last couple of minutes, but Man United continue to look the more dangerous as they feed off Ibrahimovic at the top end of the pitch. There is not a lot of pace in this Man United team, but they have so many players that can look after a football.
Pogba hits one from distance, but his effort was always moving over the crossbar.
Benteke looks to squeeze through the smallest of gaps after a loose pass from Carrick, but De Gea is out to collect and take charge of what could have been a very dangerous situation. Man United are back down the other end moments later, however, and they continue to pass and probe.
We are still waiting for the first clear chance of the night, with Rooney's header early on just about the clearest that either side has come to making the breakthrough. Not an awful lot for the home supporters to get excited about at the moment as the visitors continue to dominate the football.
Half-chance for Man United as Pogba does brilliantly to find Mata, but the Spaniard's cross is too high for Ibrahimovic and Herrera fires over at the far post. Good football again from the visitors.
Ibrahimovic looks to find Rooney with a chipped pass as Man United break through again, but Dann just about does enough to put off the Red Devils captain. Still goalless with 19 minutes played.
Not too much of an atmosphere at the moment, which is credit to Man United for their domination of this football match. Bailly has gone down again and a change might now have to be made...
... no, Bailly is back up and Darmian has to sit down for the 700th time.
Benteke is fortunate to escape a booking after flying into a challenge with Carrick and you sense that the next late tackle could bring a yellow card. Palace are getting a little bit frustrated here.
Bailly breaks into the Palace box and looks to deliver back to Rooney, but Cabaye is on hand to make the challenge. Herrera then delivers towards Ibrahimovic, but Hennessey comes to collect.
More good football from Man United and Kelly has to come across to block Blind's cross. Palace are just happy to sit deep and survive at the moment, which is not pleasing their supporters.
Well, 28 minutes on the clock at Selhurst Park and we are still goalless. Man United have been much the better team, but clear chances have been at a premium. Palace have not had too many chances to deliver high balls into Benteke, with Cabaye struggling to get on the ball here.
Bailly feeds a cross into Rooney and the Man United skipper looks to play in Ibrahimovic, but the space is not available and Palace can clear their lines once again. Rooney should have had a shot!
Better from Palace in the last couple of minutes as they manage to put some pressure on Man United, but Jones manages to clear Zaha's low cross, before De Gea collects a cross from Kelly. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining and the home supporters are loud once again.
Man United are comfortable in possession, but there is not much pace in their attack and Palace have been pretty comfortable defending their own box. No real pace in the game at the moment.
Palace have the chance to threaten from a set piece here...
... Pogba does well to clear Cabaye's extremely dangerous delivery from a deep area.
Ibrahimovic has a shot deflected wide from outside the Palace box.
Pogba makes contact on the set piece, but Hennessey collects with relative ease.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Man United as Pogba finds Rooney with a super pass, but the Red Devils captain cannot find a route past Hennessey, who makes a smart save!
BOOKING! Rojo (Man United) is booked for a late tackle on Zaha.
Benteke hooks wide at the far post after Cabaye had delivered another dangerous cross into the Man United box. Rojo was a touch fortunate not to be sent off for what was a two-footer!
The match has just come to life in the last five minutes or so as both teams start to commit more players in the final third of the field. Rojo needs to be very careful now as Zaha continues to pick up possession and run at the Argentine, who is on a booking. End-to-end football at the moment here.
SAVE! Hennessey is down to keep out a super volley from Pogba!
There is a really flat atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment, which is a surprise. Especially when considering that Zaha is causing Man United all sorts of problems late in this first period.
Just the one additional minute at the end of the first period.
BOOKING! Kelly (Palace) is booked for a poor tackle on Blind.
GOAL! Palace 0-1 Man United (Pogba)
Man United take the lead in the second minute of added time at the end of the first period as Ibrahimovic chests a free kick down to Pogba and the Frenchman finishes from close range!
HALF-TIME: Palace 0-1 Man United
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Man United leading 1-0 at the break courtesy of that close-range finish from Pogba. There was a touch of controversy about the goal, however, with the Frenchman appearing slightly offside when Ibrahimovic chested down to the midfielder. Palace also wanted handball from Ibrahimovic, but the goal stood and United lead.
STATISTICS! Man United have dominated the possession with 65%, while they hit the target with three of their nine attempts in the first period. Palace, meanwhile, managed just two attempts and neither were on target. Two bookings to report at Selhurst Park - Rojo for United and Kelly for Palace.
BENCH WATCH! Palace are not exactly flush with experienced attacking options on their bench tonight, but Campbell and Townsend are both available for Pardew. Man United, meanwhile, have the likes of Fellaini, Lingard, Rashford and Young on what is a very experienced bench here.
HT: Crystal Palace 0 #MUFC 1. @PaulPogba gives us a deserved lead on the stroke of half-time. #CRYMUN pic.twitter.com/e6wU3lZxWX — Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 14, 2016
RESTART! Palace resume the action on home soil...
... PALACE SUB! Joe Ledley has replaced Flamini at the break.
CLOSE! Ledley fires one just wide of the Man United post!
You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital. Man United would be very comfortable at 2-0, but 1-1 would completely change the atmosphere inside the stadium.
Palace look long towards Benteke, but Jones and Rojo both challenge the striker and the ball goes behind for a goal kick. Still a lot of football to be played tonight and I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals, especially considering the attacking talent on both benches here.
Carrick looks to send Bailly free inside the Palace box with a super pass, but the centre-back pulls up and it finally appears that a change will have to be made as Darmian receives another call.
MAN UNITED SUB! Darmian replaces Bailly for the away side.
Palace pass and probe outside the Man United box, but eventually Jones is up to clear ahead of Benteke and the free kick goes the way of the away side, much to the frustration of the home supporters. Palace need to find a way of putting extended pressure on the Man United defence.
Not too much to report in the way of chances at the moment, but Man United have regained control of the possession as they pass and probe in the final third. The atmosphere has dropped again.
Rooney goes down and takes a minute to recover following a late tackle from Delaney.
Ibrahimovic has a go from the resulting free kick, but his effort flies wide of the post.
Little under 30 minutes of normal time remaining at Selhurst Park and Man United still lead courtesy of that Pogba strike at the end of the first period. It is all very narrow at the moment and you sense that Rashford or Lingard could be introduced for the visitors in the next 10 minutes or so.
I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals in this match, especially considering the talent that both managers have available on their bench. Still a lot of football to be played here.
SAVE! De Gea has to fly across his goal to keep out McArthur's effort!
The game is becoming stretched and Man United no longer look comfortable as Palace continue to make strides in the final third. Zaha and Benteke are the two main threats for the home side.
Rojo goes through Benteke to win the ball and the referee blows for a free kick, even though it appeared to be a good challenge! Pardew, however, wanted a red card for the Argentine.
GOAL! Palace 1-1 Man United (McArthur)
Palace level the scores in the 66th minute as Ward drives past a couple of challenges before sliding the ball into Delaney, whose flick finds McArthur and the midfielder places it past De Gea.
SAVE! Hennessey flies across his goal to keep out Rooney's effort.
PENALTY SHOUT! Ledley handles inside the Palace box and Man United want a penalty, but the referee is not interested. Should have been a spot kick for the away side.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Mata has the ball in the back of the net for Man United, but the flag is raised. Looked onside, but the flag was raised and the goal is chalked off.
MAN UNITED SUB! Lingard replaces Mata for the away side.
BOOKING! Delaney (Palace) is booked for a foul on Herrera.
Darmian picks out Rooney with a super cross from a wide position, but the Red Devils skipper fluffs his lines and Palace have possession of the ball once again. Still 1-1 with 73 minutes played here.
Man United have the bit between their teeth at the moment as they break forward.
Pogba looks to turn inside the Palace box after a smart pass from Carrick, but he runs into traffic and the home side have a goal-kick. You just sense that there is a winner in this match.
CHANCE! Rojo heads a Rooney corner wide of the post.
SAVE! Hennessey is down to keep out Lingard's low effort.
Herrera misses the target as Man United continue to put the press on Palace here.
PALACE SUB! Fryers replaces Lee for the home side.
MAN UNITED SUB! Rashford replaces Rooney for the away side.
Stop-start game in the last few minutes as Palace buy a couple of tactical free kicks.
BOOKING! Rashford (Man United) is booked for a late challenge on Cabaye.
Ibrahimovic collects a long pass before cutting inside and shooting, but Dann makes the block.
PALACE SUB! Campbell replaces McArthur for the home side.
GOAL! Palace 1-2 Man United (Ibrahimovic)
Man United regain the lead in the 88th minute as Pogba holds off the challenge of Cabaye before sliding the pass into Ibrahimovic and the striker finds the corner with a really super finish!
Still time for Palace to answer back as we enter the final minute of normal time here.
Four additional minutes to be played at Selhurst Park.
Rashford races down the right and Man United have time on their side here.
The away supporters are full of noise as we enter the third additional minute here.
Man United have a goal kick following a period of pressure from the home side.
FULL-TIME: Palace 1-2 Man United
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period at Selhurst Park to a close with Man United recording all the points courtesy of that late winner from Ibrahimovic. It is now back-to-back Premier League wins for Man United, but Palace remain dangerously close to the bottom three following another defeat. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action once again. Until next time!
