MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester United’s title push got here to a dramatic halt Wednesday forward of its go to to Premier League leaders Arsenal on the weekend.
Main Crystal Palace 1-Zero after 90 minutes at Selhurst Park, United appeared set to say a 10th straight win in all competitions and transfer as much as second within the desk, simply six factors off the highest.
Michael Olise, nevertheless, utterly modified the temper of the night time, scoring a free-kick within the first minute of the break to attract Palace 1-1..
“We had been 1-Zero up. Within the second half we had loads of area to kill them and go for the second. We by no means noticed that we actually went for the second aim,” United supervisor Erik ten Hag stated. “It is laborious to say (why). I’ve to criticize my group. Go for the second.”
Ten Hag’s frustration was evident after a narrative-changing outcome within the sport in opposition to Arsenal.
Now, as a substitute of having the ability to cut back the Londoners’ result in three factors, defeat would go away United on 11 factors with a sport in hand.
The ten Hag has to this point dismissed United’s unlikely title problem, however his aspect’s enchancment was evident from 9 straight wins earlier than Palace, together with a 2-1 victory over second-placed Manchester Metropolis final weekend.
United stay the one aspect to beat Arsenal within the Championship this season and a repeat efficiency on the Emirates Stadium would have been a significant assertion of intent.
It nonetheless might be, however the draw with Palace will really feel like a missed alternative after Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring within the 43rd.
United moved up from fourth to 3rd within the league, stage on factors with Manchester Metropolis.
Whereas Ten Hag and his United gamers had been left annoyed, Leeds can sit up for an FA Cup fourth-round tie with Boreham Wooden or Accrington Stanley after a 5-2 defeat by Cardiff within the third-round replay .
CASEMIRO HIT
As if a visit to Arsenal on Sunday is not daunting sufficient, United can be with out one in all their most influential gamers.
Casemiro picked up a fifth yellow card of the season in opposition to Palace, which means the midfielder can be suspended for Sunday’s sport.
“He’s a vital participant for us and a purpose why we’re on this place. However final time we beat Arsenal with out Casemiro. We’ve got to do it once more,” Ten Hag stated.
Casemiro has been one in all United’s finest performers this season, shedding simply two of the 18 video games he has began since becoming a member of from Actual Madrid in the summertime.
THE RELIEF OF LEEDS
Leeds put their league struggles behind them with a morale-boosting FA Cup victory.
The 5-2 win in opposition to second-tier Cardiff ended a seven-match winless run in all competitions.
It took a aim from Sonny Perkins within the 90th minute to salvage a 2-2 draw within the opening leg, however the restart was a way more one-sided affair.
Leeds led Three-Zero after 36 minutes with two objectives from Wilfried Gnonto and one other from Rodrigo. Gnonto gave Leeds a flying begin with a surprising volley within the first minute and fired within the second after Rodrigo scored his 11th 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 as they sit simply two factors away from the relegation zone.
“I felt very strongly earlier than the sport that we had been prepared for a powerful efficiency. I instructed the group that. This was clearly a giant second for us, however it’s simply one other second within the growth we’re attempting to create,” Leeds supervisor Jesse Marsch stated.
“An vital second to achieve momentum, however laborious to name validation as a result of we nonetheless have a lot to do.”
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James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson