MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester United’s title momentum was significantly halted on Wednesday ahead of its visit to Premier League leaders Arsenal this weekend.
Leading Crystal Palace 1-0 after 90 minutes at Selhurst Park, United looked set to claim a 10th straight win in all competitions and move up to second in the table, just six points off the top.
Michael Olise, however, completely changed the mood of the evening by scoring a free kick in the first minute of stoppage time to give Palace a 1-1 draw.
“We were leading 1-0. In the second half we had plenty of space to kill them and aim for the second. I never saw that we were really going for the second goal,” United manager Erik ten Hag said. “It’s hard to say (why). I have to criticize my team. Go for the second one.”
Ten Hag’s frustration was evident after a game-changing result against Arsenal.
Now, instead of reducing the Londoners’ lead to three points, a defeat would leave United 11 points behind after playing one game more.
Ten Hag has so far rejected United’s unlikely title challenge but his side’s improvement has been evident after nine straight wins over Palace, including a 2-1 win over second-placed Manchester City at the weekend last.
United remain the only side to beat Arsenal in the league this season and another performance at the Emirates Stadium would have been a major statement of intent.
It could still be the case, but the draw with Palace will look like a missed chance after Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring in the 43rd.
United moved from fourth to third in the league – level on points with Manchester City.
While Ten Hag and his United players were frustrated, Leeds can look forward to an FA Cup fourth round tie with Boreham Wood or Accrington Stanley after a 5-2 rout of Cardiff in their third round.
CASEMIRO’S BLOW
As if a trip to top-flight Arsenal on Sunday wasn’t daunting enough, United will be left without one of their most influential players.
Casemiro received a fifth yellow card of the season against Palace which means the midfielder will be suspended for Sunday’s game.
“He’s a very important player for us and that’s why we’re in this position. But last time we beat Arsenal without Casemiro. We have to do it again,” said Ten Hag.
Casemiro has been one of United’s best performers this season, losing just two of the 18 games he has started since joining Real Madrid in the summer.
FIRST PREMIER LEAGUE START
United States defender Chris Richards has made his first Premier League start for Palace after four appearances as a substitute. The 22-year-old, associated with Marc Guéhi in central defense, joined Palace last summer from Hoffenheim. Richards was sidelined for four months until he returned on December 26.
LEEDS RELIEF
Leeds put their league struggles behind them with a morale-boosting FA Cup win.
The 5-2 win over Second Division Cardiff ended a seven-game winless streak in all competitions.
It took a 90th-minute goal from Sonny Perkins to salvage a 2-2 draw in the original game, but the replay was a much more one-sided affair.
Leeds led 3-0 after 36 minutes with two goals from Wilfried Gnonto and another from Rodrigo. Gnonto gave Leeds a flying start with a superb volley in the opening minute and fired home their second after Rodrigo netted his 11th goal of the season.
Patrick Bamford scored twice in the second half, while Callum Robinson netted twice for Cardiff.
Premier League survival remains Leeds’ priority as they sit just two points clear of the relegation zone.
“I felt very strongly before the game that we were ready for a solid performance. I said that to the team. It was obviously a big moment for us, but it’s just another moment in development that we let’s try to create,” said Leeds manager Jesse Marsch.
“An important moment to gain momentum, but difficult to say validation because we still have a lot to do.”
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James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson
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