Man United Vs Crystal Palace: Sesko streak continues as United fight off 10-man Palace

Emerson Raymont

Published: March 2, 2026 6:04 AM ET

Man United Vs Crystal Palace: Sesko streak continues as United fight off 10-man Palace

Manchester United came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 in a match defined by an early Maxence Lacroix header, a sending-off and a Bruno Fernandes penalty, as Benjamin Sesko continued his hot run. The result lifts United up to third and stretches Sesko’s streak, keeping interim manager Michael Carrick unbeaten in charge.

Early Lacroix header and a Stretford End banner

Palace needed only four minutes to break the deadlock when Brennan Johnson floated a corner from the left and, after Leny Yoro lost Maxence Lacroix, Lacroix headed across a melee to beat Senne Lammens the goalkeeper’s right post. In the Stretford End a banner declaring “MUFC proudly colonised by immigrants” appeared, a possible riposte to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s assertion that these shores have been overrun by those from overseas — an assertion for which the co-owner half-heartedly apologised. Palace had won their unclear in the provided context.

Man United Vs Crystal Palace: red card, penalty and the referee’s decision

Eleven minutes after the restart Chris Kavanagh issued a red card to Maxence Lacroix following a monitor review for pulling over Matheus Cunha. The review found contact that started before the 18-yard line but continued into the area, so the referee awarded a spot-kick and showed red. Bruno Fernandes beat Dean Henderson by placing the penalty to the goalkeeper’s left; Henderson had guessed the other way. Oliver Glasner complained the penalty should not have been given, saying it was due “to the Old Trafford bounce” and arguing the foul began outside the box. The Palace manager countered that it was decisive to be 1-0 up then concede a penalty and a man less, insisted the foul was outside the box and added that Matheus Cunha had been very clever, noting Palace were in good situations four or five times as they tried for an equaliser.

Sesko header, Fernandes assist and the striker’s revival

A weak Palace clearance fell to Bruno Fernandes on the right and his cross found Benjamin Sesko, who beat the defender Jaydee Canvot to a header that powered beyond Henderson’s left hand. It was Sesko’s ninth goal for United and his seventh in his past eight appearances for the club. Sesko’s goal continued a run that included a stoppage-time equaliser against West Ham, the winner against Everton and another winner against Palace, a sequence that has earned United crucial points in recent matches. Steve Nicol praised Michael Carrick’s decision to start Sesko as the striker scored his third consecutive Premier League goal for United.

Sesko’s form, background and coaching influences

Sesko is a 22-year-old striker who was signed from RB Leipzig for £73. 7 million in the summer. Under Ruben Amorim he scored two goals in 17 games; since Amorim’s departure in early January he has seven goals in eight appearances. The run of form began at Turf Moor and was aided by Darren Fletcher, who, after Sesko scored twice in a 2-2 draw with Burnley, said he had shown the forward a video highlighting his movement and goals and urged him to keep believing. Sesko himself stopped in the mixed zone to say that everyone believes in him.

Carrick’s impact, standings and substitutions

The match underlined Michael Carrick’s positive start: United are up to third, on goal difference, after accruing 19 from 21 points under Carrick, and the interim manager remains unbeaten. Carrick said the position does not mean an awful lot at the moment and that they want to keep progressing. When Sesko was replaced by Amad Diallo in the 72nd minute he was serenaded as Carrick’s men cantered to the final whistle. -area analysis notes that Sesko’s goals against Burnley, Fulham, West Ham, Everton and Palace have earned United eight points and that without them the club would be outside the top six; United sit third behind Arsenal and Manchester City with 10 games left and are on course to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2023.

Other Premier League results, Spurs’ trouble and post-match reaction

Elsewhere on the day the full-time scores included Brighton 2-1 Nottingham Forest, with Welbeck scoring the Albion winner in the first half, and Fulham 2-1 Tottenham with goals from Iwobi and Wilson as the Cottagers held on. Tottenham have been in the top flight in every year since the late 1970s but are in a relegation battle; Igor Tudor’s side had only one shot on target in the game, the goal by Richarlison’s header, and head into the final stretch with ten games to go and four points above the relegation zone. Spurs have equalled their longest Premier League winless run of 10 consecutive games, matching a sequence from January to March 1994 under Ossie Ardiles, and Igor Tudor became the second Spurs manager to lose both of his first two Premier League games in charge after Martin Jol in November 2004. Dion Dublin, speaking at Old Trafford, said United deserved the win, that Palace had been excellent for 30 minutes in the first half, and that the sending-off made a huge difference while praising Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro for outstanding performances. Michael Emons was at Craven Cottage for the other fixtures; the final phase of the Man Utd match featured a blocked Joao Palhinha free-kick in the six-yard box with the last kick of the game.