Crystal Palace 2-3 Manchester United: 5 Talking Points

#5 Palace must triumph in crucial moments if they are to secure survival

In trouble!

Crystal Palace contributed massively to a wonderful game and can feel hard-done-by the final result, but these are days which prove that concentration and focus in key moments- set-pieces and playing the offside trap- could well be the difference between 3 points and nothing, irrespective of the overall display.

For United’s goal, there was no Palace player marking either Smalling or Pogba at the far post as Valencia played the lofted pass.

To compound matters, centre-back James Tomkins was wandering ahead of his defensive line, resulting in him playing both Smalling and Pogba onside as the ball came in.

For the equalizer, there was no Palace defender willing to challenge Lukaku as the Belgian striker took his time to wait for the perfect moment before swinging his left foot to beat Wayne Hennessey.

Benteke’s header with the game at 2-2 was brilliantly saved by de Gea, but the Belgian should have targeted his shot towards either corner after doing everything right – the timing of the jump to beat Smalling in the air as well as the power on the header.

The hosts’ performance on Monday proved that the team definitely possesses the desire and the quality to survive the drop despite a lengthy injury list, but it is the team’s response in crucial moments like these that may ultimately decide their fate in the remaining 9 games of the season.