Crystal Palace and Manchester United fans have clashed over Maxence Lacroix’s sending off and the resulting penalty. The French defender was given his marching orders in the second half when he was adjudged to have fouled Matheus Cunha in the box.
Lacroix gave the Eagles an early lead in the fourth minute when he met Adam Wharton’s corner with a superb header. Oliver Glasner’s men were the better team in the first half and nullified the hosts’ threat.
That changed when Lacroix was controversially sent off, and United were awarded a penalty in the 56th minute. The centre-back put his arm on Cunha’s shoulder with contact starting outside the box but ending with the Brazilian theatrically falling inside of it.
A long VAR delay eventually led to referee Chris Kavanagh reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor. He showed Lacroix a red card, and Bruno Fernandes scored the subsequent spot-kick.
Manchester United made the most of their one-man advantage when Benjamin Sesko headed home a 65th-minute winner. It was a frustrating defeat for Glasner’s men, who felt aggrieved over the awarding of the penalty and the red card.
Palace and United fans argue
Lacroix and Cunha’s coming together was the main talking point of the game. Palace fans are fuming with the decision and accuse the PGMOL of corruption.
That was the opinion of one fan who wrote on X:
“A) wasn’t even a foul B) was also a dive C) was outside the box D) Henderson is literally next to the ball Verdict : oh f**k lads, (Man Utd) are behind – we need the race for the top 4 interesting : give a pen, and send Lacroix off. You corrupt b**stards.”
Another wrote: “Isn’t it weird how it’s only Man United fans who think it’s a penalty?”
One added: “Was complaining about the decision then i realised who we’re playing Can they make it any less obvious.”
Another agreed:
“This is a yellow card for diving. Ball not under control and is moving away from him. There is no pull, it’s a touch on the shoulder at the very least and also is outside the box. Completely ruined this game. That decision only gets given in United’s favour at OT.”
A Palace fan pointed out that Kavanagh is from Manchester: “Man born in Manchester has one of the worst reffing performances and gives possibly the worst decision of the season to benefit a team from Manchester.”
United fans have hit back after accusations that they received preferential treatment from the PGMOL.
A supporter responded to CPFC HQ’s tweet:
“Isn’t it weird that only the ones that hate Manchester United think it’s not a penalty?”
One mocked the initial tweet: “You need a mop and bucket after all these tears! You was s**t, you got a good goal, played well for 25 mins and then deserved to lose. Going the other way you’d be here sobbing about us getting away with a nailed in penalty so get over it!”
Another added: “Most educated football observers know it’s a penalty. Go and read the rules as they currently stand before you start spouting next time.”
Palace’s defeat means they dropped to 14th in the Premier League table and were unable to win a third-game in a row at Old Trafford. They were in control of the game until Lacroix’s sending off which means he misses the trip to Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday (March 5th).
Glasner hit out at penalty decision
The penalty changed the game, and all of Palace’s hard work counted for nothing. They can take confidence from their performance, especially in the first half.
Glasner gave his thoughts on the decision after the game and felt it was “very harsh”. He told Sky Sports:
“The penalty and the red card look like this situation was the complete turnaround. I thought it was a very harsh red card; usually, it’s when the first contact with the foul occurs. The foul starts outside the box. Maybe it’s the Old Trafford bonus?”
The Premier League Match Centre released an explanation of Kavanagh’s decision, which read:
“After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of no red card to Lacroix. Referee announcement: ‘After review, Crystal Palace number 5 commits a clear holding offence which denies a clear, obvious, goalscoring opportunity. Final decision is penalty and red card.”
Some feel there wasn’t even enough contact for United to be awarded a free-kick, let alone a penalty. Lacroix does have his hand on Cunha’s shoulder, but once they arrive in the box, there doesn’t appear to be enough to bring the Brazilian down.
