A fantastic late free kick from Michael Olise deprived Erik Ten Hag’s team a 10th straight victory in all competitions and second position in the Premier League, just when it appeared as though Manchester United had found their mojo again after all this time.
A goal by Bruno Fernandes in the first half appeared to offer still more convincing proof that the team that has won the English championship the most times may once again be a title contender. United has played one more game than the leaders but is still eight points behind them with a trip to the Emirates on Sunday to take on Arsenal.
They will be aware that the score should be much closer after losing their lead against a tenacious Crystal Palace team with nearly the last kick of the game. Marcus Rashford was unable to maintain his remarkable run of scoring in seven straight outings due to a late yellow card for Casemiro. Patrick Vieira’s team was jubilant at full time as they escaped suffering their fourth consecutive home loss. Palace, on the other hand, had a difficult time getting going after the World Cup break and needed this lift after only scoring once in their previous three home games.
In a reorganized forward line, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Odsonne Édouard occasionally worked well together, and American defender Chris Richards stood out in his debut. This combination nearly gave Édouard his first chance in the opening minutes, but he chose not to shoot, and United quickly warned them of their potential for an on-the-spot attack thanks to Rashford’s lightning-quick feet. When Olise stepped up in the final minute after Jeffrey Schlupp had been fouled to curl home a stunning freekick off the bar that completely deflated United’s defence, it broke United’s defense’s resolve.