'Lacroix should let Cunha go'published at 16:04 GMT 2 March
16:04 GMT 2 March
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester United's penalty and consequent Crystal Palace red card for Maxence Lacroix in Sunday's fixture at Old Trafford formed part of the debate on the latest episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.
Ex-Premier League striker Clinton Morrison said: "Lacroix, when he looks at it, should just let him go. I can understand why the penalty is given. My take on it is, the ball is getting away from Cunha and Henderson is closer. It should be a penalty, but a red card?
"If, as a striker, I am not getting to the ball, I am going to go down. I'm getting a penalty and Lacroix sent off. I've been in situations and instantly you just react and pull on the shirt."
Duncan: Unconvincing and strangely lacklustre, but still got the job done. It's not an easy run-in, so we shouldn't take Champions League for granted. The whole coaching team clearly suits the players, and we should keep them next season.
Gordon: A times flat and lacked creativity in first half - very predictable. The penalty was the major change and a good second goal but again didn't kick on and finish the game. Three points but room for considerable improvement
Patrick: This the United I've been waiting to see since Sir Alex's retirement. We're playing as a team, refusing to give up, even when down, confident, and have quality throughout the team. Cunha, Mbeumo, and Sesko have made a huge difference, and Maguire is finally, the talismanic defender we hope he would be. Fergie would be proud to manage this team. We remain a work in progress, my optimism feels apt at this point. As to the Glazers and Ratcliffe, carbuncles that need lancing. Our debt burden is worrying.
Mattie: There's only one Michael Carrick!
Crystal Palace fans
Ron: What a footballing disgrace. This referee has already proved he's not up to it. Never a penalty and never a red card. Palace played well and deserved a draw. Whoever goes to Old Trafford seems to play against twelve men. Canvot had another good game and is improving all the time. Strand Larsen and Johnson again were very disappointing. They need to find the right space to receive the ball which is badly lacking. It makes you wonder what they do in training.
James: This felt as if palace were 0-1 up when it was 11 vs 11, but 2-0 down when it was our ten vs eleven. Given a week ago we didn't look to be able to beat a wolves 11, this feels an improvement especially in how fluid we were with 11, the next challenge is remain with 11, and then we can look up the table and progress further in the conference.
Adrian: Better rhythm and confidence. We possibly play better against the stronger sides, rather than those who play a low block. It probably was a penalty despite starting outside the box and the guy throwing himself to the floor. But the red card was a clear and obvious error and should be overturned on appeal.
Mike: Very poor refereeing decision cost us today. Not even a foul, let alone a penalty or a red card. Any where else on the pitch that goes unnoticed.
The penalty controversy published at 11:04 GMT 2 March
11:04 GMT 2 March
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Oliver Glasner was left frustrated at how Crystal Palace had twice led Manchester United at half-time this season and ended up with nothing on both occasions.
To him, this one hinged on the moment 11 minutes into the second half when Palace goalscorer Maxence Lacroix made a grab for Matheus Cunha. The initial contact was certainly outside the box, but continued into it and the United forward flung himself to the floor.
Referee Chris Kavanagh gave the penalty and, after reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor, sent Frenchman Lacroix off.
Glasner described it as the 'Old Trafford bounce'.
"It's a very hard decision because the foul started outside the box and usually the foul has to be given where it starts," he said.
"On the other side, Matheus Cunha was very smart to wait until he's inside the box to fall.
"Maybe he could have conceded the red card with the foul outside the box, this is what you can discuss, but it's where the foul starts. Maybe it was the Old Trafford bounce."
While Glasner felt it was a 'home' decision, vastly experienced former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann said the ruling was right.
"Kavanagh took his time and used all his experience to rightly ascertain that contact continued inside the penalty area and awarded a penalty kick," he added.
"The red-card sanction was also the correct outcome. The law states 'where a player commits an offence against an opponent within their own penalty area which denies an opponent an obvious goalscoring opportunity, and the referee awards a penalty kick, the offender must be sent off if the offence is for holding or pulling'."
Gossip: Palace to resist any moves for Hendersonpublished at 07:03 GMT 2 March
07:03 GMT 2 March
Crystal Palace will block any approaches from Tottenham and other clubs for goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who has been a crucial part of the success under Oliver Glasner. (Football Insider), external
Man Utd 2-1 Crystal Palace: What Glasner saidpublished at 17:11 GMT 1 March
17:11 GMT 1 March
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Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It is decisive when you are 1-0 up and then concede a penalty and then have one player less. The foul was outside the box and the foul should be given where it starts, not where it ends. Matheus Cunha was very clever. We tried everything to get the equaliser and we were in good situations four or five times."
On tiredness in his squad: "I think we played three days ago and that impacts the game when you are one player down and the crowd gets back into the game and 1-1."
On Ismaila Sarr's miss: "A problem in the last weeks is that we are playing good parts in games but not consistently over 90 minutes. We always have to make changes to our back three since Marc [Guehi] left. There is no consistency in the back three."
On better performances: "Absolutely. The performances were not that bad. We're not that efficient and that ruthless in attack. The way the team is fighting, even here under difficult circumstances, gives me faith until the end of the season."
Did you know?
Only West Ham (20) have lost more points from winning positions in the Premier League this season than Crystal Palace (19), with this the Eagles' second-most in a single campaign in the competition (23 in 2023-24).
Maxence Lacroix has scored two goals in his last two games, as many as he managed in his first 81 appearances for Crystal Palace in all competitions. Both of his Premier League goals have come against Manchester clubs – Man City in December 2024, and Man Utd in March 2026.
Lacroix became only the second visiting player to be score and be sent off in a Premier League game at Old Trafford, after Liverpool's Michael Owen in April 1998. Lacroix was just the fourth player to do so home and away for the Eagles in the competition, and first since Christian Benteke against West Ham in December 2020.
Man Utd v Crystal Palace: Team newspublished at 13:03 GMT 1 March
13:03 GMT 1 March
Michael Carrick hands a starting spot to Benjamin Sesko following the Slovenian's match winner at Everton on Monday.
Amad Diallo drops to the bench in the only change to Carrick's entire squad as United look for a victory that would take them into third spot for the first time since the end of the 2022-23 campaign.
Manchester United XI: Lammens, Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw, Casemiro, Mainoo, Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha, Sesko.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Brighton v Nottingham Forest" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Arsenal v Chelsea", for instance.
Sutton's predictions: Man Utd v Crystal Palacepublished at 10:20 GMT 1 March
10:20 GMT 1 March
Manchester United have been very good under Michael Carrick and they are a team full of confidence - Benjamin Sesko is a great example of that.
Palace picked up a late win over Wolves last time out but it still feels like their manager Oliver Glasner should have left by now, because there is such a negative atmosphere around the whole club.
I don't like to question anyone's commitment but, in this scenario, I think you have no choice. Glasner wants to leave, and the whole situation has been handled very badly.
Palace have won away at Manchester United in the past two seasons but, the way things are going for both teams, you'd only ever go for a home win here.
Manchester United v Crystal Palace: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 13:02 GMT 28 February
13:02 GMT 28 February
Manchester United will put their resurgence to the test against one of their more awkward opponents in recent years, as Crystal Palace visit Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday (14:00 GMT).
A dogged 1-0 win at Everton on Monday night propelled the Red Devils back into the top four. A Champions League place is very much United's to lose at this stage, although they will face pressure from Liverpool and Chelsea.
As for Palace, a win over Zrinjski Mostar on Thursday in the Conference League pushed them into the knockout stage proper. However, problems off the pitch remain.
Carrick finds formula for new transfers
It has been an impressive start for Michael Carrick in the Manchester United dugout, with five wins and a draw from his first six matches in charge of this spell. In the club's history, few have fared better in the early stages of their tenure.
Carrick has won all four of his home league games in charge (one in 2021, three in 2026). Only Frank O'Farrell has won his first five home league games in charge of the Red Devils, doing so in 1971 (he won his first six).
Carrick is also yet to lose any of his seven matches managing United across two spells. Only Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2018–19 with 11 and Herbert Bamlett in 1927 with 10 managed to accumulate more unbeaten games at the start of their respective tenures.
United were far from their best at Hill Dickinson Stadium but showcased the determination to get through the game. When the key moments came, they were able to produce moments of quality too.
Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko combined to set up the latter's goal on the counter-attack. The three summer signings have settled at different speeds at Old Trafford, but Carrick appears to be getting a tune out of all of them at the moment.
Glasner seeking more Old Trafford glory
Palace face a curious end to the season. The Eagles know their head coach, Oliver Glasner, is on the way out, and there were protests against him and the board at the previous game.
Even so, they remain in European competition and, after two wins from their last three Premier League games, there appears to be no danger of the team being dragged into a relegation battle.
Old Trafford is a venue where they have performed well in recent seasons, meaning even an in-form United side may not necessarily welcome a visit from the south London club.
Palace have won four of their last six league matches at Old Trafford. On Sunday, they are looking to become just the second London side to win three consecutive away league games against Manchester United, after Chelsea between 1967–68 and 1969–70.
The match will also be a big one for former United goalkeeper Dean Henderson. He has recently been handed the Palace captaincy and stepped up last weekend to save a penalty from Tolu Arokodare.
It means Henderson has now saved a third of the Premier League penalties he has faced - five out of 15 - which is the joint-highest ratio among goalkeepers to have faced at least 15 spot-kicks. Former United goalkeeper Mark Bosnich saved six of the 18 he faced.
'There has always been a reluctance from Parish to fire Glasner'published at 16:15 GMT 27 February
16:15 GMT 27 February
Sami Mokbel Senior football correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
Over the course of the last few weeks, Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has resisted the urge to act on impulse.
Instead, his approach to, at least external uncertainty over head coach Oliver Glasner's future, has been measured.
Parish's path towards deciding, as of yet, not to bring forward the Austrian's exit from Selhurst Park may yet prove one of the defining factors in what the club hope will be another historic season climax.
In many ways, the easiest decision for Parish was to sack Glasner, who has already disclosed he is leaving the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Ahead of the club's 1-0 win at Brighton on 12 February, the team had not won in 12 in all competitions.
Growing sections of the fanbase had turned on the Austrian, who had infamously aired his displeasure at the sanctioning of captain Marc Guehi's move to Manchester City before confirming his decision to leave this summer.
The win at the Amex Stadium provided brief respite, their 3-2 home loss to relegation threatened Burnley, having taken a two goal lead, just days later wasn't well received by supporters.
By the end of the Uefa Conference League first-leg play-off draw against Zrinjski Mostar last week, travelling fans were calling for Glasner's head.
Glasner continued to air his angst in public, calling on supporters to stay "humble" in the face of calls for his head – a soundbite that landed dreadfully with fans.
But Parish held his nerve when pressure to call time on Glasner's reign at Selhurst Park was as strong as it had ever been.
The result: two consecutive wins over Wolves and Zrinjski Mostar to book their place in the Conference League last 16 and to move to within just three points of eighth in the Premier League.
Plight has been replaced with optimism. Indeed, Palace have now lost just one game in six.
Of course, the merits of keeping faith with Glasner will be fully judged at the end of the season.
But Parish's decision to seek stability over upheaval at such a crucial stage of Palace's season has shown early signs of paying off.
As a lifetime Palace supporter it is, perhaps, harder for Parish than other club owners to disregard emotion from decisions regarding the club.
But Parish's apparent ability to compartmentalise shouldn't be underestimated in Palace's recent upturn.
Image source, Getty Images
The lack of a clear candidate to replace Glasner on a short-term basis would likely have been considered in recent weeks.
The managerial landscape will change drastically in the summer.
A number of managers that Palace would view as suitable candidates to replace Glasner, the likes of Andoni Iraola and Marco Silva, are set to be out of contract in the summer.
Thomas Frank, recently sacked by Tottenham, will be open to a new project from the summer.
Frank Lampard, who is currently in the midst of a promotion tilt with Coventry, is highly regarded at Selhurst Park and could be enticed by a return to London depending on how this season ends.
Sean Dyche is out of work and will look to return ahead of next season.
It is logical for Palace to wait until the summer as they look to appoint Glasner's successor.
You would imagine Glasner's body of work would also have been a point of consideration for Parish in recent weeks.
The Austrian is widely recognised as the team's greatest ever manager having led Palace to last season's historic FA Cup victory – their first ever major trophy – the Community Shield triumph over Liverpool in August and the club's first ever foray in European football.
Things behind the scenes are not perfect and while Glasner's public outbursts are not ideal, there is a recognition that in the 49-year-old they still have an accomplished coach that has led the club to arguably the greatest period in its history.
That counts for something.
There is also an understanding that Glasner can be emotional and, on occasion, those emotions can spill over.
With that all said, relations between the club and Glasner are described as positive and certainly not as unfavourable as some would assume given the public comments made by the manager.
More recently, Palace have sensed a greater zeal in Glasner amid a sense that the manager is focused on bringing the curtain down on his reign with further glory.
So, for now, Palace will continue with Glasner at the helm. Unless there is a significant change in the course of events in the coming weeks, the expectation is that Glasner will see out his contract before riding off into the sunset.
There has always been a reluctance from Parish to fire Glasner for the reasons outlined above.
That reluctance certainly hasn't waned in light of the club's recent improvement. Parish won't be rushing to fire a manager he views as one of the greatest the club has ever had.
If the Austrian can add the club's first-ever European trophy then Parish's decision to stick should not be overlooked.
Glasner on Lacroix, defensive confidence and Man Utdpublished at 16:11 GMT 27 February
16:11 GMT 27 February
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Manchester United at Old Trafford (kick-off 14:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
He acknowledged it is a fast turnaround from Thursday's game but "the players will be ready, with two days of recovery and training".
On whether Maxence Lacroix will be fit enough to play twice in three days: "That's the big question - I don't know. Hopefully the goal helps a little bit! Right now, it looks OK, but let's see how the reaction is."
He praised Jaydee Canvot for his "very good game" against Zrinjski in which he showed his "pace" against a quick front-line.
He said they have "great memories" from Palace's 2-0 victory at Old Trafford last season and need to play with "confidence" again on Sunday.
On what he expects from Michael Carrick's side: "Manchester United are on a good run. I watched their game Monday night at Everton. It was a fantastic transition goal [from Benjamin Sesko], and you can see the pace they have in their attack. They are a very good team, they have a very good balance."
Glasner said he will re-watch the defeat against United earlier this season to see if there are any lessons they can learn and "analyse them in detail" with the hope of creating a tight game.
He said the back-to-back clean sheets "will help" going into this match because they will "have to defend very well" against United's attacking players.
Palace to play AEK Larnaca in Conference League last 16published at 13:50 GMT 27 February
13:50 GMT 27 February
Image source, Getty Images
The draw for the last 16 of the Conference League has been completed and Crystal Palace will face AEK Larnaca.
It will be the second time the two teams have met this season, after Palace lost to the Cypriot side 1-0 at Selhurst Park in the league phase.
If they should beat Larnaca and progress to the quarter-finals, they will meet either Fiorentina or Rakow.
They could then face one of Lech Poznan, Shakhtar Donetsk, AZ Alkmaar or Sparta Prague in the semi-final for a place in the final on Wednesday, 27 May.
Andy: It was a better performance tonight with more fight and passion. Still a bit concerned we are giving the ball away and we look vulnerable. Plenty of positives and we need to ensure passing when attacking is on the front foot, not behind the player leaving us flat footed and going back.
Robert: I saw Johnson come on as a substitute, but then he disappeared. Was he hiding behind a goalpost?
Selhurst: Got the win. Relief and glad to go through. But need more improvement quickly in what was another tepid performance overall.
Trevor: A step in the right direction. Thought Guessand and Canvot, both newcomers to the squad, were exceptional.
Sam: Solid, perhaps fortunate to score at good moments although it really should have been four or five by the end. Good to see Canvot improving, this was a challenging game and he came through with flying colours. Clean sheets are making such a difference!
Neil: We were just too strong for the Bosnian team and at 2-0 it never looked in any doubt whatsoever. Roll on the next opponents! Glad all over. Well done boys - you have made me proud to be a Eagles fan!
Simon: I was always more worried about the early stages, we struggle against 10 men behind the ball. They did what needed doing though and I'm cautiously optimistic about the knockout stage. Players are back from injury and new players are integrating. It wasn't a perfect performance, but definitely heading in the right direction again.
Steve: While Palace dominated possession, they struggled to create too many chances in the first half. Wharton's excellent free kick, and Lacroix's bullet header settled a few jangling nerves. After the break, Palace controlled the game without too many alarms. The final few minutes contained a few scares, but Guessand's goal in added time put some sweet icing on a very enjoyable cake.
Gary: A much improved performance. We were dominant throughout and it could have been five or six. Two wins and clean sheets. We must build on this now we have some momentum. Guessand is a quality player and is sure to become a fans' favourite if he's not already.
'They are favourites to go on and win it from here'published at 08:29 GMT 27 February
08:29 GMT 27 February
Image source, Getty Images
Goalkeeper Dean Henderson reacts to Europa Conference League progress: "We're hungry for more [silverware] but you don't talk about winning it three months out.
"It's knockout football and we go into it with confidence. You see the supporters get into the stadium early and Selhurst was rocking tonight and we can make it a fortress."
Former Palace defender James Tomkins, speaking on TNT Sports, said: "They go through to the next stage, into the last 16 of this competition and they are favourites to go on and win it from here.
"They've got to concentrate on the Conference League. The opportunity they've got is incredible. To add a third trophy in two seasons would be remarkable and beyond the wildest dreams of the fans.
"They needed a second goal to get over the line and it's a great night for the club. The atmosphere is amazing and you can see all the fans are behind the team and the manager and it means a lot."
Crystal Palace 2-0 Zrinjski (3-1 agg): Palace's chaotic season takes another twistpublished at 23:52 GMT 26 February
23:52 GMT 26 February
Michael Emons BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Oliver Glasner has been manager of Crystal Palace since February 2024
Despite all the on and off-field chaos, Crystal Palace, 13th in the Premier League but 10 points above the relegation zone, could still make more club history by winning their first European trophy.
They remain favourites to win the Conference League, despite only coming 10th in the league phase. The only surprise against Bosnian champions Zrinjski, a strong and well-organised but limited side, was that Palace's winning margin was not bigger.
Guessand, Jorgen Strand Larsen and Daichi Kamada all had goalbound efforts deflected wide before Adam Wharton provided the quality with a wonderful flighted assist for Maxence Lacroix's headed first-half goal.
Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson did not have a shot on target to deal with from the visitors, although Zrinjski's only real chance came in the 91st minute with Tomi Juric heading wastefully wide, before Evann Guessand scored to seal their place in the next round.
Their potential last-16 opponents will not cause any fear for Palace as Mainz are 13th in the German Bundesliga, while Larnaca only scored seven goals in six matches in the league phase, although they did beat the Eagles 1-0 in October.
But for now, Oliver Glasner, facing regular questions about his position, stays in his role and the Eagles continue their pursuit of a trophy for the ultimate end to a campaign full of highs and lows.
Crystal Palace 2-0 Zrinjski: What Glasner saidpublished at 22:37 GMT 26 February
22:37 GMT 26 February
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner speaking to TNT Sports: "It means a lot. We didn't have easy weeks and therefore now having two back-to-back wins at Selhurst Park. The games where everyone is expecting a win are often the most difficult one. Playing Wolves at home, everyone was expecting a win and we did it in the final minutes, and today the same. Today was a very clinical win.
"We took our lessons from the first game and then waited for our moments, and then at the end decided the game."
On the support from the fans: "We always said - since day number one - we've had a great relationship with the fans. They are always supporting us. Yes, they were a little bit critical but this can be. They can be critical when the results and performances are not that well.
"But I think overall, we are now in a good position in the Premier League and the last 16 of the Conference League – playing European football for the first time. I think now we can work on our consistency, integrating new players and having good impact. I think we are on track.
"In three days we go to Old Trafford. We don't just go there for a holiday to Manchester but hopefully to win."
More from Palace manager Oliver Glasner, when asked if he had received any assurances about his future:"100% assurance. If the players believe in me and the staff, that's the most important thing. Otherwise, you can pack your suitcase and go home because the players have to perform on the pitch.
"We have a great togetherness in the group – players, staff, really positive. The same with the sporting director and the chairman. They are sometimes wondering, 'Hey, this is the second best Premier League season ever. The best was last year. So maybe the best two years in Crystal Palace's history, playing European football for the first time – and there is so much noise?' Sometimes we really don't understand it.
"Maybe I gave some interviews that weren't really helpful, I have to admit. But on the other side, I always say what I feel. Sometimes it's positive, sometimes it's not so positive. But that's who I am.
"In the end, we are in a good position in the league and Conference League and so it's up to us to get a result and make a real good season of it."
Crystal Palace v Zrinjski: Team newspublished at 19:03 GMT 26 February
19:03 GMT 26 February
No messing around from Oliver Glasner as he names a strong Crystal Palace side. There are three changes from the side that began the 1-0 win over Wolves with starts for Maxence Lacroix, Daichi Kamada and Evann Guessand, while Chadi Riad, Will Hughes and Yeremy Pino all drop to the bench.
Follow Crystal Palace v Zrinjski Mostar livepublished at 18:53 GMT 26 February
18:53 GMT 26 February
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You can follow all the action and reaction to Crystal Palace's Conference League play-off round second leg against Zrinjski Mostar across the BBC Sport app and website.
Image source, Getty Images
