Crystal Palace vs. Manchester United: Winners and Losers from Premier League
Manchester United moved one step closer to clinching fourth place in the English Premier League when they defeated Crystal Palace 2-1 on Saturday.
Juan Mata opened the scoring from the spot in the 19th minute after a key decision went in the Red Devils' favor.
Jason Puncheon equalized for Palace in the 57th minute, but United jumped back into the lead through a Marouane Fellaini header in the 78th minute.
The win put United seven points in front of Liverpool in the race for fourth. If Liverpool lose to Chelsea on Sunday, the Red Devils will secure their spot in next season's UEFA Champions League.
Here's a look at the winners and losers from United's road victory over Palace.
Winner: David De Gea
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David De Gea made two massive saves in the second half to fend off the Palace threat.
The United goalkeeper made himself big in front of net and knocked away a Glenn Murray shot with his right hand in the 71st minute.
In the 86th minute, De Gea denied Murray once again with his feet after the Palace forward turned around substitute Paddy McNair in the middle of the box.
By keeping United in the game, De Gea eased the pressure off his team heading into the final two weeks of the season. The win all but secured the Red Devils' spot in the UEFA Champions League next season. As long as United don't suffer from a catastrophic collapse, they will be back in Europe.
Loser: Scott Dann
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The most controversial moment of the match came in the 17th minute, when referee Michael Oliver awarded United a penalty.
Scott Dann was the Palace player at fault for the spot kick, as the ball hit the top of his right arm. Because of the movement of the arm toward the ball, Oliver deemed it enough for a penalty to be called.
Although some Palace supporters may disagree with the call, Dann's positioning of his arm cost him as he tried to knock away Ashley Young's cross.
In a match when United created few chances in the final third, Dann allowed Mata to step up and score from the spot. If the decision went in the favor of Palace, we might be focusing more on United's pitiful numbers up top.
"I'm a bit aggrieved about the penalty. I think from the ref's angle it's a tough call. He can't be sure. I asked him after and he said it was a gut feeling," Palace manager Alan Pardew said after the match, per the club's official Twitter account.
Winner: Marouane Fellaini
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Fellaini triggered plenty of celebrations across Manchester with his 78th-minute goal.
The towering Belgian nodded Young's cross into the back of the net after Palace fell apart during the seconds leading up to his header. Fellaini took advantage of an out-of-position Julian Speroni and coolly placed the ball into the back of the net.
The goal was Fellaini's fourth of the calendar year, which is the most recorded by any United player, per Squawka.
Thanks to Fellaini's game-winning strike, United have a chance to officially lock up fourth place as early as Sunday, depending on Liverpool's result at Stamford Bridge.
Losers: Luke Shaw and Wayne Rooney
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Although they did leave Selhurst Park with three critical points, United did not leave the south London ground unscathed.
Luke Shaw and Wayne Rooney both exited the match with injuries. Shaw was caught by an inadvertent James McArthur elbow late in the first half, while Rooney suffered through a leg injury for most of the first 45 minutes.
Shaw was stretchered off by the medical staff with an apparent head injury in the 39th minute. Rooney tried to warm up for the second half but failed a quick fitness test.
United boss Louis van Gaal said after the match that Shaw was taken off for precautionary measures, per Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe.
Rooney was suffering from a dead leg, according to Van Gaal, per the club's official Twitter account. The Dutchman also confirmed Rooney should be good to go for the team's next match.
Winner: Jason Puncheon
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Palace challenged United for most of the second stanza, thanks to the introduction of Puncheon at the start of the half.
Puncheon struck the back of the net in the 57th minute on a free-kick that appeared to glance off the head of Daley Blind before it beat De Gea.
Outside of the goal, Puncheon forced the United defense into difficulty on a few occasions as the Eagles pressed forward for a game-winner.
We should expect to see Palace play free in attack over the final two matches of the season since their safety from relegation was confirmed before the match began.
Winner: Ashley Young
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Despite the lack of punch delivered by the United attack over 90 minutes, Young stepped up in a major way to create both goals.
His attempted cross struck the hand of Dann in the first half, and his pass from the left wing connected with the head of Fellaini in the 78th minute.
Young ended the match with four key passes and one assist, although you could argue he deserves a second for creating the penalty.
"This was a massive game. We are delighted to win, but we have two cup finals left," Young said after the match, per the Premier League's official Twitter account.
Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.
All statistics obtained from WhoScored.com.
