Man United Vs Crystal Palace: Sesko Header and Lacroix Red Propel United to Third
In a comeback at Old Trafford, Man United Vs Crystal Palace ended 2-1 after Benjamin Sesko's headed winner and an early second-half sending-off for Maxence Lacroix. The result lifted Manchester United into third and extended the unbeaten run under Michael Carrick.
Maxence Lacroix goal and sending-off reshape the match
Crystal Palace took a fourth-minute lead when Maxence Lacroix rose to head in from a Brennan Johnson corner, the ball beating goalkeeper Senne Lammens his right post. That early strike represented the earliest goal United have conceded under Michael Carrick or this season. The match swung back eleven minutes into the second half when referee Chris Kavanagh, after consulting the monitor, penalised Lacroix for pulling Matheus Cunha as he entered the area; the initial contact began outside the 18-yard line but continued into the box, prompting Kavanagh to award a penalty and issue a red card for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity. Bruno Fernandes converted the spot-kick, beating Dean Henderson to his left as the Palace goalkeeper guessed the wrong way.
Benjamin Sesko and Bruno Fernandes combine for the winner
Soon after the equaliser, a weak Palace clearance fell to Bruno Fernandes on the right and his cross found Benjamin Sesko, who powered a header beyond Henderson to make it 2-1. Match accounts described the goal variously as Sesko's fourth in five games and elsewhere as his ninth for United and his seventh in eight appearances; the player was substituted in the 72nd minute for Amad Diallo and received applause as he left the field. One source described it as Sesko's first start under Carrick; another noted it extended a recent scoring streak, underlining the striker's growing influence.
Michael Carrick's unbeaten run and table impact
Michael Carrick remains unbeaten since taking charge and his side have accrued 19 points from a possible 21 under his stewardship. United's recovery at Old Trafford extended an 11-game unbeaten Premier League run and lifted them to third place—on goal difference and, by one account, their highest position since May 2023. Carrick played down the significance, saying progress was the priority, but the measurable impact is clear: United left with three points and momentum.
Oliver Glasner and Palace reaction to the VAR decision
Palace manager Oliver Glasner described the red card as harsh, arguing the initial contact began outside the penalty area and suggesting the surroundings may have influenced the officiating. Glasner emphasised the turning effect of going from 1-0 up to conceding a penalty and then playing with ten men. He stressed his side had created a number of opportunities after the dismissal and tried multiple approaches to regain parity.
Match context: attendance, atmosphere and wider Premier League picture
The game was played at Old Trafford in front of a reported attendance of 73, 934. The Stretford End displayed a banner as the second half began that read: “MUFC proudly colonised by immigrants, ” a response framed around Sir Jim Ratcliffe's earlier comment about overseas arrivals to which the co-owner offered a half-hearted apology. Beyond Old Trafford, the day brought other decisive Premier League results: Brighton beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 with Danny Welbeck scoring the first-half winner, and Fulham held on to beat Tottenham 2-1 with goals from Alex Iwobi and Aleksandar Mitrovic’s teammate in previous mentions, while Tottenham's solitary shot on target — a Richarlison header — supplied their goal.
