May 9 2015

Jason Puncheon (Photo: Andy Roberts)

Crystal Palace lose their fourth game in a row, 2-1 to Manchester United.

Alan Pardew opted to bring back the "McJedley" midfield trio of Mile Jedinak, Joe Ledley and James McArthur, and there was also a starting position for Glenn Murray in attack - Jason Puncheon dropped to the bench.

United controversially went ahead through a Juan Mata penalty on 19 minutes.

Ashley Young's cross was adjudged to have been handled by Scott Dann in the box, when replays suggested otherwise.

The remainder of the first half was fairly uneventful apart from injuries to Wayne Rooney and Luke Shaw.

Pardew replaced Ledley with Puncheon at half time and the substitute had an immediate impact, curling a free kick past David De Gea, which hit Daley Blind on the way through.

The Eagles were unlucky not to go ahead after that with James McArthur poking a shot just wide, and De Gea made a point-blank save to deny Glenn Murray.

But it was the Red Devils who got the winner on 78 minutes, after another cross by Ashley Young was met at the far post by Marouane Fellaini. Replays showed that Falcao had pushed Damien Delaney into Julian Speroni, so Palace will feel hard done by yet again.

Alan Pardew: "We were a lot better in the second half and I thought we would go on and get a victory - or at least a draw. It is galling to be talking about a defeat.

"I think the referee's in a bad position to say Scott Dann's offence warrants a penalty - and I told him that. The ball came in, there was no real threat and Scott leans in and is turning away. I think it hits the shoulder and his chest. From his angle the referee couldn't tell - it was impossible. I think it is a really tough call.

"We had a great moment when Glenn Murray had a great chance - it was a fantastic save from one of the best goalkeepers in the world."

Palace: Speroni, Ward, Souare, Delaney, Dann, Zaha (Chamakh, 85), Ledley (Puncheon, 45), Jedinak (Lee Chung-Yong, 84), Bolasie, Murray, McArthur

Subs not used: Mutch, Campbell, Hennessey, Kelly

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