Sheffield United moved up to fifth in the Premier League as Vicente Guaita’s remarkable own goal gifted the Blades all three points at Crystal Palace.
The Spanish goalkeeper Guaita mishandled Oliver Norwood’s corner and dropped the ball into his own net just before the hour mark.
Chris Wilder’s visitors had created little up to that stage, but held on to their advantage for a hard-fought victory.
The hosts dominated possession but rarely tested United goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who did well to palm James McArthur’s powerful effort to safety not long after the opener.
James Tomkins was inches away from connecting with McArthur’s in-swinging delivery as Palace pushed for an equaliser, but John Fleck and Enda Stevens could have doubled United’s lead on the counter-attack.
Referee Andy Madley showed Palace right-back Joel Ward a red card late on for a foul on Stevens, but downgraded the punishment to a yellow card after consulting his pitchside monitor.
The result lifts the Sheffield United above Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers, who play each other in Saturday’s late game and can both move up to fifth with a win.
More to follow.
Article courtesy of BBC Sport
Source link
