Manchester United improved their chances of qualifying for the Champions League with a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Sunday. This victory brings them closer to their European goal.
This win marks United’s second consecutive victory, lifting them to third place in the Premier League, above Aston Villa.
The Red Devils are now unbeaten in seven matches.
A critical moment in the match was a penalty incident in the 52nd minute when Matheus Cunha was fouled in the box by Maxence Lacroix. Referee Chris Kavanagh awarded a penalty and issued a red card to Lacroix.
Bruno Fernandes converted the penalty to level the score at 1-1, and Benjamin Sesko later scored with a well-placed header to make it 2-1.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner discussed the penalty decision with the BBC, stating: “It is crucial when you are leading and then concede a penalty while going down to ten men. The foul was outside the box, and it should be judged from where it occurred, not where it ended. Matheus Cunha was quite clever.”
He added, “We did everything we could to find an equaliser and had good chances four or five times.”
The Premier League has since addressed the incident through their Match Centre on X, stating: “After VAR review, the referee changed the initial decision regarding Lacroix’s red card. Referee announcement: ‘After review, Crystal Palace number 5 commits a clear holding offence that denies an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. The final decision is a penalty and a red card.’”
This statement clarifies that Maxence Lacroix was sent off for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity.