Manchester United 1-0 Crystal Palace- BPL Game 11
Manchester United narrowly scraped three points against a defensively set up Crystal Palace with Juan Mata grabbing the games only goal.
The Eagles of Crystal Palace under Neil Warnock have been much more attacking but curved back into their successful tactic adopted by former manager Tony Pulis of sitting back.
Three games without a win whispered around Old Trafford prior to kick off but it was remembrance Sunday which condemned most of the respect towards our fallen solders of WWI.
Onto the game and it was a fairly quiet affair in the first half with former striker Frazier Campbell having the games best chance. A lapse in concentration between makeshift centre back Daley Blind and youngster Paddy McNair had allowed the former Sunderland player to try and loop the ball over an onrushing David De Gea. Luckily for the United fans whose had hearts in their mouths the ball just bounced over.
Man United's poor football in the first half was clear as their sloppy passing and lack of pace caused Palace to feel comfortable in what they were doing. The frustration of wanting to see players such as Angel Di Maria and Adnan Januzaj was infuriating but improved in the second half.
The best United chance of the first half fell to Luke Shaw when he braved into the decision of driving at the Eagles defence and trying to open them up. As he skipped through the middle of four/five Crystal Palace onlookers it was arising hope that we could see a fantastic goal. The shot from the edge of the box however had been parried away by Palace's Julian Speroni.
The second half had to improve and it did as the passing will more accurate with the danger more threatening upon Crystal Palace. United brought on the forgotten Juan Mata just over the hour mark and it was five minutes later when Di Maria laid the ball off to him on the edge of the box to strike past the Palace goalkeeper. His fourth goal of the season and a lucky one at that as relief surged around Old Trafford.
Prior to Mata's winning goal, in form star Maraoune Fellaini saw his header from a corner cleared off the line. Overall most United fans will say 'A win is a win' that is very much true! We walk away 6th in the table and not far off Champions League.
Louis Van Gaal said:
"We created chances, we won and we are now two points behind fourth place, so it's in our hands. I am happy."
"It’s always difficult to beat teams who are only defending. But in the second half we scored & that’s important."
"We killed the game for the first time, so I am very happy."
Man of the match was in no doubt Luke Shaw he's attacking side of the game was on full display today as he was the Shaw of Southampton. Driving, crossing and defending well at the back to keep a clean sheet.
Man Of The Match: Luke Shaw
Next Game: Arsenal 22 November 2014 (A) 17:30 GMT