Crystal Palace surrendered a one-goal advantage, ending up being beaten by the odd goal in three, for the fifth time this season in all competitions.
This was like a movie seen many times before. A decent start, though not making more when in the ascendancy, then allowing the opponent back in the game, and ultimately ending up on the wrong end of the result.
The Eagles are yet to win from a losing position this term and have dropped a staggering twenty-two points from a winning position in the Premier and Conference League campaigns.
Though this may have felt a little different given the circumstances of the defeat, the lack of a real threat in attack and central defensive frailty caught up with them again.
During the January transfer window, Palace have certainly added much-needed depth in attack, but still look short on quality.
Ismaila Sarr is still very much the main man and was by far the most potent forward player at Old Trafford. Brennan Johnson was ineffective, and the late substitutions couldn’t get the ten men back into the game.
At the other end, young Jaydee Canvot was caught flat-footed as Benjamin Sesko nipped in to head the game’s winning goal.
The young French defender looks to have outstanding potential, but his inexperience has and will cost his team some points along the way as he gleans the know-how at Premier League level to build on his power and athleticism.
Game-changing decision
The game-changing moment was, of course, the award of a fifty-seventh-minute penalty and the dismissal of Maxence Lacroix.
Matheus Cunha tricked the elegant central defender as he approached the penalty box and instinctively reacted by putting his left hand onto the Brazilian’s right shoulder as he lost him.
The contact was minimal, more fingers than hand, and the Manchester United forward threw himself forward in theatrical fashion as he entered the box.
Referee Chris Kavanagh, who had been stood down for a dreadful performance without the use of VAR in the Aston Villa versus Newcastle United in the Fourth Round FA Cup tie, returned to domestic action, but was again the centre of controversy, pointing to the penalty spot after a long delay.
The VAR check that followed made it seem likely to many that the decision would be overturned, given the artistic merit displayed by Cunha during his fall.
He tumbled in the opposite direction he was tugged, a yellow card for simulation should have followed.
Kavanagh had other ideas, not only upholding the award of a spot kick when the contact appeared to be slight on the line of the penalty area but also, on the advice of the men in Stockley Park, sending off the Lacroix.
Scandalous to some, soft to others, dependent on the pundit, whereas Palace boss Oliver Glasner referred to the incident as “The Old Trafford bonus".
A tough one to take, but Lacroix gave Kavanagh a decision to make and with-it Palace’s chance of another victory at the Theatre of Dreams disappeared.
Food for thought
Glasner has a further headache ahead of a visit to Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday evening now Lacroix is suspended.
With England centre back Marc Guehi sold in January to Manchester City inexplicably without any kind of replacement signed and Jefferson Lerma injured, the Austrian may be forced into fielding a very inexperienced trio at the back, including both Canvot and Chadi Riad.
Of course, Chris Richards seems certain to start. Utilising Nathaniel Clyne or Tyrick Mitchell may be a consideration if Lerma is still absent, but the situation is far from ideal.
