Man.United climb to third in Premier League table with win over Palace, Fulham sink Spurs

Benjamin Sesko stretched his hot streak with the winning goal as Manchester United beat Crystal Palace 2-1 to go third in the English Premier League (EPL), while Tottenham failed to dispel relegation fears after defeat at Fulham.

Interim boss Michael Carrick’s unbeaten run since his appointment in mid-January stretched to seven matches, his side now sitting on 51 points from 28 games. Palace slumped to 14th, stuck on 35.

United remain unbeaten since the Jan.5 sacking of Ruben Amorim and having won six of their last seven matches under Carrick, they moved up to third for the first time since May 2023.

“It feels like a big result, we were behind and had to show some character,” Fernandes told Sky Sports. “There are a lot of games to go still (in the chase for a top-four finish) and it is important that we don’t feel that we are in the position that we need to be. We need to make as many points as we can.”

Oliver Glasner’s Palace dominated the first 30 minutes, aided by United’s poor passing and pedestrian pace.

The home side were caught napping as Palace struck after four minutes, Maxence Lacroix muscling past Leny Yoro to power home a header from a corner. It was the earliest goal United have conceded all season.

Daniel Munoz had a chance to put the visitors 2-0 up when he ran onto a through ball from Ismaila Sarr, but his shot was saved by goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

When United finally got a foothold, Sesko’s header from a Fernandes cross late in the first half forced a save from goalkeeper Dean Henderson. The keeper also leapt to tip a Fernandes free kick over the bar shortly after.

United improved after the break and in the 57th minute, Fernandes hauled them level from the spot, sending Henderson the wrong way, after Matheus Cunha was dragged down by Lacroix. The defender was shown a red card after a lengthy VAR check.

Eight minutes later Sesko completed the turnaround, leaping to head home Fernandes’ free kick.

Carrick’s team had numerous chances to add to their lead, including a volley from Casemiro that forced a diving save from Henderson.

Amad Diallo forced another diving save with a shot from distance in stoppage time, while fellow substitute Joshua Zirkzee had a couple of chances blocked and Kobbie Mainoo unleashed a rocket that sailed just wide of the post.

“The biggest thing for us to take from the game is really the first time that we have been in that situation going in at halftime,” Carrick said.

“I thought we’re a little bit off to start with ... being in that position and how we react and showing that personality and the belief, you’re never always going to have it your own way, but to then come back like we did second is the biggest thing for me today.”

Palace pressed in the dying minutes, but United held firm to secure the victory.

“It feels that there was more possible today,”Glasner said. “A great first 30 minutes, I think at the end the first half, it became a little bit too passive.

“Then the red card changed again completely ... and then the crowd is back, and they are in a good run. The second goal just happened too quickly.”

No Tudor turnaround for Tottenham: Tottenham remain perilously poised just four points above the relegation zone as interim boss Igor Tudor again failed to halt their alarming slide.

“We were not good, (we) lacked everything attacking and defending,” said Tudor after two defeats in his two games in charge.

“There are problems here, big problems. We need to stay calm, believe in what we are doing in training, and get out (of trouble), staying all together.”

Harry Wilson and Alex Iwobi gave Fulham a deserved half-time lead as they moved up to ninth and back into contention for European football next season.

Richarlison headed in a late consolation for Tottenham, but they remain the only Premier League side without a win in 2026.

The one crumb of comfort for Spurs was defeat for relegation rivals Nottingham Forest, 2-1 at Brighton.

All three goals arrived in the first 15 minutes as Diego Gomez and Danny Welbeck netted for the Seagulls either side of Morgan Gibbs-White’s reply.

Forest sit two points above the drop zone ahead of a daunting trip to Manchester City on Wednesday.

Agencies