Crystal Palace 1-2 Man United: Red Devils take step closer to Champions League return

Manchester United ended a run of three straight defeats and took a big step towards making their top four place secure as Marouane Fellaini’s late header sealed a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace.

Juan Mata ended the Red Devils’ three-game goal drought to put the visitors ahead with a first half penalty, after Scott Dann blatantly handled the ball in the area.

But Louis van Gaal’s side lacked focus and seemed to switch off after the break, as Jason Puncheon’s deflected free-kick pulled the stubborn Eagles level.

Alan Pardew has enjoyed a great deal of success against United in recent seasons, but, just as it seemed his side were closer to a winner, Louis van Gaal’s side pinched it in the final ten minutes.

Julian Speroni was caught in no man’s land as a cross was whipped in, the ball drifting over the Palace goalkeeper’s head to allow Fellaini to nod into an empty net, as Pardew’s men slipped to a fourth consecutive defeat.

A vital win leaves Man United seven points clear in fourth place, meaning fierce rivals Liverpool MUST beat Premier League champions Chelsea on Sunday to have any chance of catching them.

United were dealt a blow before kick-off with news Angel di Maria and Robin van Persie had been ruled out of the squad with respective injury and illness.

And Van Gaal’s injury woes continued in the first-half, as Luke Shaw, making his only 20th appearance since his big money move from Southampton last summer, was stretchered off after taking a elbow to the face.

There was a distinct lack of creativity from both sides in the first half, with Daley Blind going closest to a goal from open play when his long-range drive was tipped onto the crossbar by Speroni.

United were thoroughly on top, though, and a sustained period of early pressure bore fruit after 20 minutes when Dann was penalised for handball and Mata duly slotted in from the spot.

The rest of the first period was interrupted by injury breaks, with Shaw replaced by Jonny Evans after a lengthy period of on-pitch treatment, while captain Wayne Rooney was also seen to my medical staff.

The England striker’s limp remained however and, after a last-minute fitness test ahead of the start of the second half, he was deemed unable to continue, with Radamel Falcao coming on in his place.

United looked a different side after the break as a number of defensive errors allowed the lively Wilfried Zaha, Jason Puncheon, Pape Souare and Yannick Bolasie to all threaten goal before the Eagles finally found an equaliser.

Chris Smalling, who was given the captain’s armband following Rooney’s substitution, was penalised for wrapping both arms around Glenn Murray on the edge of the box and the centre-back was punished by Puncheon, whose curling free-kick sailed past De Gea off the head of Blind, who decided not to jump in the wall.

Palace were suddenly rampant and went close to going in front when Murray rippled the side netting and James McArthur then dragged a shot wide following a breakaway, again the result of a mistake from Smalling.

Veteren striker Murray went close again but was this time denied by a brilliant point-black stop from De Gea after neat one-two in the box with Dann.

However, United have always found a way of getting back into games and they found the winning goal out of nothing as Speroni misjudged Ashley Young’s searching cross and Fellaini was there to head in at the back post.

A late flurry of chances saw both goalkeepers make further saves, but, despite another unconvincing display, it was to be United’s day.