LONDON — Manchester United‘s winning run came to a halt against Crystal Palace on Wednesday as Michael Olise‘s stunning injury time freekick saw the game finish 1-1 at Selhurst Park.
It looked for all the world that Bruno Fernandes‘ first-half goal was going to make it 10 wins on the bounce for Erik ten Hag’s United, but Olise’s incredible long-range effort in the 91st minute saw the game finish on equal footing.
The point will give a huge boost to Palace, but Olise’s wonder goal will be a huge blow for United as they sought to keep up the pressure on Arsenal at the top of the table ahead of their meeting on Sunday at the Emirates. Even more, United have to make that trip without midfielder Casemiro, who earned the final yellow card before suspension on Wednesday.
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Rapid reaction
1. Man United let Palace back into the match and pay dearly
This was the perfect evening for Ten Hag — until the 80th minute. In two key moments, the balance of the title race shifted again further to the red side of north London ahead of Sunday’s match at the Emirates. First, Casemiro picked up a booking for a rash challenge on Wilfried Zaha, which was his fifth of the season and ruled out of the Arsenal match.
Then Olise scored a freekick for the ages with the clock ticking into the four minutes of injury time. It was to the right of United’s goal — about 30 yards or so out — and he found the top corner to secure the point with the help of the crossbar. For all Crystal Palace‘s celebrations, you could feel the air sucked out of the United players.
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Man United may feel aggrieved by a fruitless penalty shout in the 71st minute from Palace defender Chris Richards on Scott McTominay, but United were playing with fire. They failed to keep the pressure on Palace in the final 15 or so minutes of the match, with the home side invited on to United. They first had goalkeeper David de Gea to thank for a superb save off Marc Guehi off a corner but they failed to heed that warning. Ten Hag tried to change the balance of the match by bringing on McTominay and Fred, but they couldn’t turn the tide.
This will be a crushing blow to United’s aspirations. The gap between them and Arsenal now sits at eight points with Mikel Arteta’s Gunners team enjoying a game in hand.
