Manchester United secured a comeback victory against Crystal Palace, winning 2-1 at Old Trafford, with Benjamin Sesko once again proving to be the match-winner. The game took a significant turn following the red card issued to Palace's Maxence Lacroix.

Match Overview

Lacroix opened the scoring for Crystal Palace just four minutes into the match, heading the ball into the far corner from a corner taken by Brennan Johnson after outmuscling Leny Yoro. United struggled to find their rhythm in the first half, with Casemiro coming close but nodding just wide of the bottom-right corner. However, the dynamics shifted early in the second half when Lacroix fouled Matheus Cunha inside the penalty area. A VAR review confirmed the foul, leading to Lacroix's dismissal for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Bruno Fernandes converted the penalty in the 57th minute, leveling the score for United. Just eight minutes later, Fernandes assisted Sesko, whose header from a deep delivery found the bottom-right corner, securing the win for the Red Devils. United maintained pressure in the closing stages, with Casemiro and Amad Diallo forcing further saves from Palace's goalkeeper, Dean Henderson.

Statistical Insights

This victory marks Michael Carrick's continued unbeaten run as United's interim manager, propelling the team to third place in the Premier League, ahead of Aston Villa on goal difference. Lacroix's performance was notably bittersweet; he became only the second visiting player to score and receive a red card in a Premier League match at Old Trafford, following Michael Owen in April 1998. Additionally, Lacroix is the first Palace player to achieve this feat since Christian Benteke in December 2020.

Following Lacroix's dismissal, United dominated the match, registering 20 shots and an expected goals (xG) tally of 2.05, while Palace managed only eight attempts with an xG of 0.38. Sesko's goal marked his sixth in the Premier League for 2026, placing him second in the league for goals this year, behind only Brentford's Igor Thiago. Notably, United have remained unbeaten in all five Premier League matches where they have trailed in 2026, showcasing their resilience.

With this victory, Manchester United continues to build momentum as they aim for a strong finish in the league.